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07 <, God ! my child, my Carmelita. 



MARliUGE i LOTTERy? 


16547. 


BY 

J 

EVKIvYN ADAiVr«. 


ILLUSTRATED. 


H)1M 13 |891 

NEW Y ’ ^ 

ADAMS, PUBLISHER, 

262 West 23d St. 

1891. 





PZ3 

A^n 


Copyright, 1891, 

BY 

EVELYN ADAMS. 


All Rights Reserved. 


CKIL T>ESPERANDUM 




IS MARRIAGE A LOTTERY? 


16547 . 


I. 

Madre de Dios ! Madre de Dios, save her ! 
save la hermosa Carmelita ! came in terror- 
stricken shrieks from a thousand throats. 

0, God, my child, my Carmelita,” was the 
agonized cry of the appalled father. 

The railing of Senor Cortina^s box had given 
way, and amid the crash of the falling timber, 
noise of the music, and bellowing of the bull in- 
furiated by the pain of the exploding banderillos 
and dust, a beautiful girl lay at his feet. 

The furious animal plunged wildly at the new 
object clad in a bright red dress. Catching the 
folds of her mantilla on his horns, he tore it in 
pieces, tossing it high in the air, and but for 
the embarrassment of the broken railing, would 
have gored the helpless victim at once. The 
frightened torero, who had just wounded him^ 


4 


IS MARRIAGE A LOTTERY ? 


and nimbly escaped to the adjoining barricade, 
seemed paralyzed. 

A thrill of horror pervaded the vast assembly, 
some turning with ghastly expressions from the 
fearful sight. The aged father, only restrained 
by friends, would have jumped into the arena 
to instant destruction. 

The enraged animal had partially freed him- 
self from the debris, and in another moment 
rescue would be too late ; her fate seemed 
counted by seconds; despair and terror reigned 
supreme on the pallid faces of that great throng, 
shuddering with fear, when suddenly a young 
man, in the dress and slouch hat of an Ameri- 
can tourist, who had been leaning listlessly 
against an adjoining box, watching the face of 
the lovely senorita, with an occasional glance at 
the ring, darted like a flash of light across the 
box, leaped into the arena, and before the 
startled bull could realize the situation, and 
before the appalled spectators gained breath, 
had seized the senseless girl in his arms, with a 
strength and celerity that appeared to the ter- 
ror-stricken spectators supernaturai, and leav- 
ing the bull perfectly bewildered at the sudden 
disappearance of the frail form, placed her in 
safety in the arms of her distracted father. 

Not less to the astonishment of the people 


IS MAERIAGK A LOTTERY? 5 

than the intense disgust of the disappointed bull 
who pawed and bellowed his dissatisfaction, 
refusing to believe that his victim had escaped. 

Such a heartfelt burst of joy and admiration 
that arena had never heard before ; every voice 
of that vast multitude seemed to emulate each 
other in shouts. 

Bravo ! El bravo ! Blessed miracle ! Beau- 
tiful Carmelita is saved.” 

But, lo ! when the young hero, without a 
moment’s pause, seized the sword of a staring 
matador, jumped back into the arena, and, dex- 
terously avoiding the rush of the maddened 
animal, just as his lowered head was near his 
hand, struck him a tremendous blow that 
severed the spinal cord at the neck — the poor, 
bleeding bull staggered a few steps, and with a 
mad bellow, fell — the spectators went fairly 
wild. Cheers and shouts mingled with a burst 
of music and explosion of fireworks and the 
exultant cry : 

El matador ! El matador ! El Americano, 
savior of Carmelita, and slayer of the bull ! ” 
When the handsome stranger reascended the 
platform, and standing for a moment in silent 
recognition of the thundering vivas that arose 
from the crowd, he returned the sword to the 
still astounded matador, and ascertaining the 


6 


IS MARRIAGE A LOTTERY? 


safety of the beautiful Oarmelita, who had been 
removed to her home, he announced himself to 
the Grand Master of Ceremonies, who intro- 
duced him to the people as Eichard Gilbert, of 
New York.” 

He stood uncovered before them, a magnifi- 
cent statue of a herculean Apollo ; his graceful 
form, blue eyes and fair hair, a contrast to their 
own swarthy heroes. The enthusiasm broke out 
afresh and the welkin rang with cries of : 

‘^El bravo ! Eicardo ! El Americano ! ” 


II 


A strange introduction, this, of two handsome 
persons whom fate had so singularly brought 
together, but fact is always stranger than fiction. 
Not so strange, perhaps, that a scion and pet of 
the famous four hundred should fall in love 
with the most charming and beautiful of the 
proverbially lovely Castilian race. But the 
manner of it, and the odd method by which 
Providence secures the final consummation of 
its plans ; but Love goes where it is sent and 
Fate arranges the means, hence this story. 

Let us explain who this interesting couple are — 
by what curious means they came together thus, 
and we shall better comprehend their future 
history. 

The city of Chihuahua had been unusually 
dull, the weather cold and unsettled, but now it 
began to clear up and the days were most 
delightful with an exhilarating breeze wafting 
down from the summits of the Sierra Madre. 

Like most towns in the Mexican Republic, the 
people of Chihuahua still practiced the ancient 
sports of their ancestors. Bright red and yellow 
posters had announced the annual bull fight for 


8 


IS MAKRIAGE A LOTTERY? 


the 12th of December, and great preparations 
had been made. 

For several days many strangers had come to 
the city, who from their dress and manners, 
were evidently of the better class. Hotel 
proprietors wore jovial faces, for many of their 
guests were pure Castilians by ,birth, coming 
from the quiet cities and fortified ranches 
scattered over leagues of mountains and plains, 
stretching far away to the remarkable stream 
known as the Rio Grande, or Rio Bravo del 
Norte, that forms the dividing line between the 
Republic of Mexico and the United States. 

As the gala day advanced and the hour 
approached for the bull fight, the Plaza del 
Toros’^ resounded with shouts and firing of guns. 

The people had come out on the plaza ; brave 
Caballeros, wearing spurs and riding breeches, 
dashed over the sandy level performing re- 
markable feats of horsemanship. 

Joy sparkled in the dark eyes of the Senoritas 
who looked out of the carriage windows, and a 
happy expression was on the faces of Mexicans 
who rode in carts or heavy ox wagons with great 
wooden wheels, while native lads, gay and 
picturesque, mounted on little gray burros, 
made their way with the great throng, to witness 
for the first time perhaps, a grand bull fight. 


/ 


IS MARRIAGE A LOTTERY? 9 

The scene at the bull ring grew in interest as 
tlie band played, and the curved row of seats, 
eight or ten tiers, like a circus, began to fill up ; 
while hundreds unable to get seats were left 
standing in the rear aisles. 

To the right of the spacious arena, a portion 
divided into private boxes was occupied by 
ladies* and gentlemen, old and young, and in 
one of the most prominent sat Senor Don 
Fernando Cortina, accompanied by his daughter, 
Senorita Oarmelita, and her cousin Juanita. 

The band was playing a lively air, when the 
gates opened and three horsemen entered and 
rode quickly around the ring. A number of 
muscular capaclores were moving about, clad in 
fancy Mexican costumes, with scarlet capes and 
gay sashes. Suddenly, amid a burst of music, 
sky rockets, and fiourish of trumpets, the cattle- 
gate fiew open and the people shouted : 

El toro ! El toro ! The bull ! The bull ! 

In bounded a splendid animal with long, 
sharp horns. For a moment he stood still as if 
frightened, then with a wild stare and terrific 
bellow started for the nearest picador, and furi- 
ously dashing after him at full speed, chased 
him round the ring with his horns almost against 
the flanks of the horse that seemed to leap from 
the reach of his pursuer. 


10 IS MARKTAGE A LOTTERY? 

With each report of skyrockets and flash of 
fireworks the excitement increased ; every eye 
followed the movements of the fleet torero who 
flaunted gorgeous banners and scarlet-lined 
cloaks or capes before the bull, crying out : 

Toro ! El toro ! 

Suddenly, the bull turned and charged one of 
the toreros ; another fighter then attracted his 
attention with his trailing red cape, drawing 
him off, and this continued until the enraged 
brute was somewhat exhausted, when two gaily 
dressed men appeared with barbed pointed ban- 
derillos, the rods finished with bright paper 
streamers, who followed, taunting the bull to 
turn upon them, when he made a quick move 
and at the instant when he would have caught 
one of the combatants on his horns, the picador 
quickly thrust the banderillos into his neck 
amid shouts of approval from the blood thirsty 
audience, and the cry : 

Bueno ! — bueno ! Bravo ! Bravo ! Well 
done ! burst from the over-enthusiastic people 
who pressed forward in their eagerness to catch 
every movement, when the darts, shaken by the 
maddened bull, exploded with a terrific report, 
enveloping him in a cloud of smoke from the 
burning powder. 

The wild cries of the people and the quick 


IS MARKIAGE A LOTTERY? 11 

music of the band so enraged the already furi- 
ous animal, that in spite, of the efforts of 
toreros to draw him off, ho hotly pursued his 
persecutors about the ring, who luckily escaped 
into one of the little barricades. 

A tremendous crash was heard. 

In an instant all was sudden commotion. 

A cry of alarm ! 

Whafc is it ! 

The railing of Senor Cortina’s box had given 
way and Carmelita had fallen into the ring, 
almost beneath the feet of the hull who was 
wildly pawing, trying to shake the darts from 
his neck. 

The terror-stricken people cried out in one 
voice : 

Madre de Dios ! ” Save her ! Save her ! 
Carmelita ! La hermosa Carmelita ! ” 

But what of Kichard Gilbert of New York ; 
so young, so strong ; so handsome and so brave? 
Who is he ? Well, you shall know. 

Born of American parents, he traced his 
ancestors back to the early days of New Amster- 
dam, his great-grandfather, an English gentle- 
man, having been among the first settlers, and 
in spite of the Knickerbocker abhorrence for 
the British nation. Sir Gilbert had fallen in love 


12 IS MARRIAGE A LOTTERY? 

with a fair German girl, and was the bridegroom 
at a Dutch wedding feast. Their descendants 
being numbered among The Four Hundred 
of the great metropolis. 

Kichard had passed three years at college, 
where he had rapidly acquired the usual course, 
particularly excelling in languages, becoming a 
fluent linguist ; hut was more especially remark- 
able for his great strength and skill as an 
athlete, taking an active part in all sports and 
games ; and in every contest proving himself 
worthy of the prizes that he received. 

For more than a year he had traveled abroad, 
visiting many places of interest ; and while pass- 
ing some time in Spain, liie was unexpectedly 
called home by the death of his father, who, after 
living in affluence all his life, suddenly lost his 
riches, dying poor, with the exception of a small 
portion that fell to Eichard ; who, possessed of 
great courage, turned his face westward to seek 
in that far distant land an honest living. 

For several days the thrilling event at the bull 
fight was the subject of gossip about town, and 
Carmelita, much loved and famous throughout 
the State of Chihuahua for her dark beauty, was 
anxiously inquired after. 

She had suffered greatly from the fright and 
received several bad bruises. Maraquita, the 


IS MAKRIAGE A LOTTERY? 


13 


faithful maid, following the doctor^s directions, 
nursed her with tender care. 

Juanita passed much of her time in the room 
and in her girlish way sympathized with Car^ 
nielita, who remembered only the fall, and the 
bull as something terrible — and then she had 
evidently lost consciousness, for what happened 
after that was a deep mystery to her. 

^^How was it, Juanita?” she asked, raising 
her dark, inquiring eyes to her pretty cousin. 
“How did I ever manage to escape ? ” 

“Oh, Carmelita cara,” ejaculated Juanita, 
Eicardo, el bravo — Eichard Gilbert, saved your 
life. Oh, he is so distinguished-looking, strong 
as Sampson, and when he brought you back to 
us almost dead, he looked so tall and handsome, 
so fair ; I only wish you could have seen him.” 

“I shall see. him,” returned Carmelita, 
“ Father will surely permit me to see this noble 
man who has restored me to him,” and a bright 
gleam illuminated her Spanish brown counten- 
ance, and she seemed to be recalling visions of 
the past, as it were, and forming in her mind a 
whole group of heroes, dark and fair, whose 
shadows all disappeared, and with gratitude fill- 
ing her heart she rapidly gained strength, hop- 
ing to meet the reality, for whom she had already 
formed a strong liking. 


III. 


The cooling breeze wafted down from the 
lofty Sierra Madre, into the windows of the old- 
fashioned Spanish house, that had stood for so 
many years, and finally descended to Senor Cor- 
tina, with not only its comforts and luxuries, hut 
with a wealth of historical and social memories 
of events that had been enacted beneath the flat 
roof. 

The massive old building fronted the plaza, 
with its windows, doors, and verandas facing 
the ancient cathedral, whose square belfry and 
cross, on the opposite side of the public square, 
gave a somber character to the picture. 

On the other side were restaurants, hotels, 
and long, low shops of adobe, or sun-dried 
brick, and at the corners of the plaza, narrow 
streets ran to the outer country ; while a great 
entrance and passage, large enough to admit of a 
carriage, led into the court-yard. 

Senor Cortina was proud of his ancestor, who, 
in the fifteenth century, had acquitted himself 
nobly in the Spanish army; as an officer under 
Cortez, he had accompanied him on the famous 
march from Vera Cruz to the City of Mexico, 


IS MARRIAGE A LOTTERY? 


15 


when the Conqueror had surrounded the Palace 
of Montezuma, seized the Emperor, over- 
powered the dynasty, and compelled the ces- 
sion of the kingdom to Spain. 

General Cortina formed a great attachment 
for Mexico, and not caring to cross the ocean 
again, traveled to the ^N^orth, and, selecting a site 
high up in the Sierra Madre mountains, estab- 
lished possession of an estate that stretched 
over miles of rich country, far away to the 
river. Here he had erected a stone mansion, 
where, with his wife and family, surrounded by 
all the comforts of life, he passed many happy 
years, and lived to see what is now the City of 
Dhihuahua grow up around him ; and after 
attaining an honorable old age, was buried in 
the graveyard among the illustrious dead, within 
the in closure of the Chihuahua Cathedral. 

This is Cortina’s family record, although the 
inscriptions on the square tombstones lying 
flat on the ground, are now almost obliterated 
by time. His sword and field pieces are still 
treasured in a cabinet in the corridor of the old 
. mansion. Two or three smaller pieces were 
consigned to the rear court, among the foliage 
and vases of plants, brilliant and profuse in 
variety and colors. 

Don Eernando rejoiced in his inheritance. 


16 IS MARRIAGE A LOTTERY? 

was proud of his estate and lineage, and that 
part of the country was especially proud of him, 
and was only too ready to bend its head in sub- 
mission to the tall don, who, clad in black, 
ruled the country with a strange power. 

He was prouder than a Castilian of his only 
daughter, who was an unselfish girl, and as 
essential as sunshine to his life. Many happy 
hours were passed with her by his side, more 
like loving friends than parent and child ; hut 
often when walking in the Cortina Halls, he 
would pause sorrowfully at one end of the par- 
lor before a magnificent life-size painting of a 
senora in full Spanish costume. 

It had been painted forty years ago, when the 
subject was his happy young bride. She must 
have been very beautiful, if the picture spoke 
truly, for the artist had imparted a wonderful 
charm to the dark, sad eyes, and a grace to the 
lovely form ; and, although the leaves of nine- 
teen winters had fallen upon her grave, her loved 
memory was still fresh in the heart of the old don. 

Carmelita, then a little babe, was left to the 
care of nurse Maraquita, who often said : 

Carmelita grows more and more like her 
beautiful mother every day.’’ And none could 
have been more loving and tender than she of 
her charming charge. 


IS MARKIAGE A LOTTERY? 17 

“ Mia cara, it is cold for your walk this even- 
ing,” she said, and carefully folded the rebozo 
about Carmelita’s head, as her adored mistress 
sallied forth for a walk a few evenings after the 
events described. 

The serious shock had paled her cheeks and 
her inability to recall events after her fearful fall 
had somewhat dazed her. The only thing she 
remembered was a pair of blue eyes, full of cour- 
age and love, surmounted by golden curls, and 
then all was dark ; but knowing that some 
one had saved her from imminent peril, her 
imagination had not been idle, and the unstinted 
praises bestowed by her cousin upon the gallant 
stranger had filled her virgin heart with strange 
longings to see the lovely blue eyes again ; and 
she wondered if he had saved her only to for- 
get. 

^^Oh, Oarmelita, may I go with you?” 
exclaimed Juanita gaily, as she came out attired 
for a walk, the pretty, bright scarf about her 
head, not more brilliant than her rosy lips, or 
sparkling than her mischievous eyes. 

^^Of course,” said Oarmelita, smiling archly. 

I shall be delighted to have you; but, Juanita, 
remember you are not to smile at the young men, 
or fiash those dangerous eyes of yours from un- 
der that coquettish rebozo. ” 


18 IS MARRIAGE A LOTTERY? 

Oh — oh^mia cara, aren’t you awfully wicked ? 
Poor innocent me — whom the young men 
pass by with sublime indifference only to catch 
a glimpse of you.” 

^‘‘Well, flatterer, perhaps we shall meet no 
young men, and we shall be safe, and they too. 
Come ; let us go.” 

Juanita clung lovingly to Carmelita as they 
walked along the avenue into one of the smooth, 
gravel walks which led towards the woods, and 
walking rapidly beneath the tall trees the color 
flushed their faces and rendered their breathing 
more rapid. 

Elated by the exercise, Juanita exclaimed : 
^^This is charming. We must have come more 
than a mile.” 

Yes, all of that,” returned Carmelita, ^^for 
here is where the road turns off towards the 
summit ; but how lovely it is ! Just look 
through this vista. Look, Juanita, how lovely, 
through the long rows of trees, is the young 
moon, just appearing in the heavens. ” 

Yes — and oh,” cried Juanita, with a sud- 
den start, grasping her cousin’s hand tightly — 

Oh, look ! Carmelita ; look through the vista 
again. See ; here comes Ricardo ! 

El bravo ! The American — your hero. 
Oh, how delightful ! ” 


iV(?, Don Ricardo, my savior, needs no introduction. 














=9 



i 

m 



/ 





IS MAKRIAGE A LOTTERY? 


21 


Before Carmelita could recover from her em- 
barrassed surprise, Eichard Gilbert, iu bunting 
suit, with gun under his arm, stood before them. 

He raised bis bat and was about to speak, 
when a peculiar expression of adoration, won- 
der, and timidity in the wonderful eyes which 
bad haunted bis dreams, waking or sleeping, 
startled and for a moment perplexed him. 

A thousand times he had wondered if his im- 
magination had been playing him some trick, 
and whether the angel of his dreams would turn 
to common dust upon near approach. 

He had planned many pretty speeches suit- 
able to the relations between them when they 
met again, as he believed was certain, but the 
reality transcended the brightest of his dreams, 
and the magnetic flash of her glorious eyes re- 
vealed to the depth of his soul in that instant 
more of love and hope and confldence than 
could be expressed in words in an age. 

^‘‘Ah, excuse my intrusion, ladies — I did 
not recognize you — but, since I know, perhaps I 
need no introduction.” 

Carmelita as if reminded of her own unmaid- 
enly boldness, withdrew her ardent gaze and 
remarked, softly : 

Ho; Don Kicardo, my savior, needs no intro- 
duction. I should be ungrateful, indeed, could 


22 


IS MARRIAGE A LOTTERY? 


your heroic kindness in saving my life ever fade 
from my memory. I cannot express myself in 
adequate words, hut believe me, senor, the 
altars erected to gratitude in the heart never, 
never perish. I thank you with all my soul.’’ 

^^Oh! do not, I beg, exaggerate the service I 
was so happy in being able to render; I could do 
no less.” 

No less? ” exclaimed the excitable Juanita. 

What man could do more ? And out of a 
thousand men, and a score of stupid matadors 
and picadors, why did none come to the rescue 
but you ? ” 

Because,” replied our hero, politely, turning 
to the cousin, because they are not Americans. 
We do not count favors to ladies in distress. It 
comes natural to us, and I beg you will say no 
more about it. You, however, were fortunate, 
senorita, in escaping a like danger, for you were 
also in the box, were you not ? ” 

Yes, senor, I am Juanita, Carmelita’s 
cousin, and I am never idle in sounding your 
praises ; Don Ricardo, el bravo.” 

All,” said Richard, smiling, '‘ it is to you, 
then, I owe this exaggerated gratitude.” 

"No,” said Carmelita. "Juanita had seen 
you. but I had not, and to my anxious inquiries 
concerning my brave deliverer from a horrible 


IS MAREIAGE A LOTTERY? 23 

death, she may have, as she says, sounded your 
praises, but — ’’ and the beautiful girl, with a 
tell-tale blush, added — but she did not exag- 
gerate/’ And again Eichard caught the mag- 
netic spark from those deep, dreamy eyes, and 
his heart gave a great bound of ecstacy. 

Now, this young American from New York, 
was, as we have seen, a man of action, quick to 
resolve and firm to execute. Encumbered by 
his gun, he beckoned to his colored boy, Sancho, 
who had accompanied him in all his travels, and 
was now holding back the dog ; to take his gun 
and game and return home. This boy, who 
was, by the way, a veritable Southern negro, 
and certainly over fifty, came forward and glanc- 
ing at the girls with a curious expression of 
pleased surprise, took the gun, called the dog, 
who looked equally puzzled at the new turn of 
affairs, and vanished. 

^‘Perhaps,” thought Eichard, “'my vanity 
may put a wrong interpretation upon this 
matter, but ^ Nothing venture nothing have,’ 
and ^ None but the brave deserve the fair,’ as 
Sancho would say, are adages founded upon a 
knowledge of human nature. As strange as it 
may seem, I love this girl already, and I am going 
to risk my fate upon the hazard of a die. 

‘ Marriage is a lottery,’ they say, and Oarmelita 


24 IS MAKEIAGE A LOTTERY? 

seems to me a capital prize, and I will take my 
chance for it anyway.’ 

‘ ^^Oarmelita,” said he, tenderly, Pardon 
me — but Juanita introduced us, you know — I 
fear that you are not as strong as usual, and with 
your permission I will be pleased to escort you 
home.,’’ 

‘ ^ It is quite agreeable, ” said she, without 
noticing the familiarity or apology, as she gently 
placed her arm in his and turned toward home. 
Juanita and Maraquita in pleasant chat having 
already proceeded them, occasionally glancing 
back and again quite hidden by the shrubs and 
cactus lining the wayside. 

Eichard had watched the bright, expressive, 
soulful face of the old don’s daughter, and her 
peculiarly tender attention to her aged father 
on the day of the famous bull fight with unusual 
interest, but the appealing gratitude and 
confidence expressed as he caught her glance 
on the instant she lost consciousness, and the 
impression of her sweet face as he had borne her 
in his arms to her father, had inspired feelings 
he had never experienced toward any woman 
before ; and now to be alone with her, and 
her soft voice thrilling him to his very soul was 
more than he could quite realize. 

That he was madly in love at so short an 


IS MARKIAGE A LOTTEEY ? 


25 


acquaintance seemed absurd. That she could 
or would reciprocate appeared still more 
improbable, when her acquaintance with him 
was even more brief. 

Was it all a hallucination, a transient 
fascination in which her beauty had entangled 
him, while her feeling was gratitude only I He 
could not decide. 

The suspense was worse than any reality ; the 
prolonged silence was growing monotonous. 

As they walked on, coming to a rustic bench 
by the wayside, he suggested that she must be 
tired, and they would rest. She assented at 
once, and without a word sat down, he close 
beside her. 

Taking her hand, which she did not attempt 
to withdraw, his clear blue eyes with earnest 
expression entered into the depths of her own 
that seemed to reflect a new light in his, and all 
the rich red that for some days had forsaken her 
cheeks came back, making her appear more 
charming than ever. 

He had gained possession of her other hand 
now, and gently drawing her perfect form 
towards him, he softly said : 

Oh, Carmelita, do you know I love you ? Do 
not start so — I have been loving you ever since 
that eventful day — you have been in my 


26 IS MAERIAGE A LOTTERY? 

thoughts continually. I intended to wait and 
try to win you before making this avowal. It 
all rests with you, dear, to make my life happy. 
Tell me, sweet Oarmelita, have I lost you by 
being too rash. Let me know my fate, be your 
answer ‘ yes ’ or no."* ’’ 

* No ! Kicardo, you have not lost me,’^ she 
replied, tenderly*, believe you love me.’’ 

‘"Then, Oarmelita, will you marry me— a 
stranger, an American — knowing as little as you 
do of me ? ” 

“Yes, Eicardo, I love you and will be your 
wife. I know you love me as you say,” and her 
dark eyes looked into his with the wondering, 
dreamy, adoring gaze he had before noted. 
Even then he was not quite satisfied 
“ I love you — I swear I love you — Oarmelita, 
before all the angels in heaven — I love you,” 
and, pressing her little hands in his, he paused 
a moment and said : “ but you must not marry 
me out of gratitude for your rescue from 
danger ; and I am not rich, either. ” 

“ Oh, no ; I bless the danger since it brought 
you to me. No, no, it is not out of gratitude,” 
she said, gravely, “ that would be impossible. I 
can never repay you for saving my life.” 

A look of scorn darkened her face, that 
changed in an instant into a marvelous smile. 


IS MAKRIAGE A LOTTERY? 27 

"" And not for your wealth, Eicardo. No, I tell 
you; not for all the riches, nor all the gold of 
the land would I sell my heart ; but, because I 
love you, Eicardo, I will give myself to you ; 
with all my love, with all my soul, with all my 
life I love you ; he you rich or poor, I love you 
alone — you for yourself alone.” 

The words came with a soft intensity from her 
lips, and the delicate flush of her rich com- 
plexion expressed unutterable love. Stately 
and womanly, her eyes looking into his unflinch- 
ingly : 

‘‘ Eicardo, if love is the secret sympathy— the 
silver link, the silken tie, which heart to heart, 
and mind to mind, in body and in soul can 
bind — I love you, and I will love you till I die.” 

Her words filled him with confidence. He 
felt now that she truly loved him, even as he 
loved her, and with an exultant cry. said : 

Oh, Carmelita, my angel, my sweet, my 
wife, I love you ! Surely, Heaven has no bliss 
like this ; with Love’s firm clasp to bind our 
hearts forever, through life and eternity. Oh, 
my precious Carmelita, I adore you ! ” and his 
voice grew hoarse; and his strong form trembled 
as he clasped his arms closely around her, his 
heart heaved in rapid pulsation as she rested on 
his breast. 


28 


IS MAEEIAGE A LOTTEEY ? 


With both hands he lovingly raised her face 
and looking into its beautiful depths, passion- 
ately impressed kiss after kiss upon her lips, 
her eyes, her glossy hair, and the dimple in her 
chin, and would have knelt at her feet, and 
kissed the remotest tips of her dainty toes in 
adoration, but, panting breathlessly, she trem- 
bled like a wild bird caught in a cage. With a 
sudden remorse, fearing his strong embrace 
might hurt her, he loosened his grasp, and hold- 
ing her hands gently and tenderly, he uttered : 

‘‘ Forgive me, my darling ; I was mad with 
love, with joy — for you have made me the hap- 
piest man in all the wide world. Yes, Carme- 
lita, the happiest — and only yesterday I was the 
most wretched being to be found, wandering 
aimlessly about in a strange land.” 

And all on account of that horrible bull 
fight,” said Oarmelita, looking up into his great, 
blue eyes with a loving smile. ‘^But, come 
Kicardo, let us go. They will think that some- 
thing has happened.” 

^‘So there has, indeed,” returned Eicardo, 
joyfully kissing her lips once more ; and then, 
drawing her rebozo more closely about her head, 
he bent over her as they walked quickly along. 

A prolonged silence followed, broken at last 
by Juanita’s voice calling out : 


IS MARRIAGE A LOTTERY? 


29 


" Carmelita ! Carmelita ! Where are you ? 
‘‘We are coming ! ” shouted Richard, with a 
tone of triumph ringing in his voice. 


IV. 

They had not noticed the passing time. The 
mocking birds were singing their evening lays, 
and the new moon shown out brightly. As 
they reached home, .Juanita was waiting in the 
doorway, Maraquita having disappeared in the 
house. 

Carmelita did not stop, but hastening into the 
hall, leading Eichard by the hand, she left him 
in the parlor and then rushed away to search 
for her father ; who, having returned from his 
evening stroll, was smoking in the garden ; 
hastily taking him by the hand, she led him 
to the parlor, exclaiming : 

Oh, father, I am so happy — here is Ricardo 
— Senor Gilbert. Oh, father, dear, I am so 
happy ! ” 

Richard Gilbert advanced to meet Senor Cor- 
tina, who greeted him in a cordial manner, 
bidding him welcome, and warmly thanking him 
for his noble act at the bull fight, to which 
Richardo meekly replied, clearly expressing him- 
self in pure Spanish. 

Carmelita stood before them, her soft, witch- 
ing beauty transformed into the loveliness of an 


IS MARRIAGE A LOTTERY? 


31 


angel, with dark, red cheeks and sparkling 
eyes ; and much to the surprise of Don Fer- 
nando, she placed her hand in Eichard’s, who, 
momentarily embarrassed at the suddenness of 
the denoument, grasped it tightly, and with a 
flush of passionate eagerness, accepted the 
situation with perfect ease. 

The picture presented by the handsome pair - 
at that moment, if transferred to canvas, would 
make an artist’s fortune ; such contrast, such 
perfection ; his fair, magnificent manliness : 
her dark, exquisite dreamy loveliness ; so con- 
fident, so simple both ; had they grown up 
together under the eye of the old don and were 
merely asking to take a walk or ride together, 
they could not have appeared more delightfully 
earnest and childlike. 

If left to his own devices, doubtless Richard 
would have at least prepared the way, but Car- 
melita’s loving act had rendered policy of any 
kind quite superfluous, and he was not one to 
shirk any responsibility. 

So in a voice gentle but firm enough to indi- 
cate his earnestness he said, frankly : 

Pardon me, sefior, however strange it may 
appear to you, we love each other — Carmelita and 
I — and I have come to beg your permission to 
make her my wife,” 


32 


IS MARKIAGE A LOTTERY? 


Your wife ! — love each other ! — and not one 
day acquainted,” and Don Fernando’s expression 
of dazed bewilderment under less serious circum- 
stances would have been amusing ; and for a 
moment the old gentleman appeared relieved 
with the idea that perhaps it was a joke— for 
Juanita, who had followed them, in her explos- 
ive way, exclaimed : 

Oh, Uncle; it is so romantic; such a hand- 
some couple, and he so brave! El bravo Ameri- 
cano saved our darling’s life. You cannot refuse. 
Come, dear uncle, be kind.” 

“ Silence, girl,” said the don, sternly; this is 
not a subject for trifling. Senor Gilbert, I 
would not have you underestimate our gratitude 
and admiration for the grand courage that 
saved my child from a dreadful death, and any 
reasonable thing in my power to grant is always 
at your command — but Carmelita is my life, my 
love and hope. She is sole heir to a long line 
of proud and noble ancestry, and there is no 
family positon and wealth in Mexico to whose 
alliance she may not aspire. Eeflect senor; if, 
as I presume, you are serious, do you not recog- 
nize an element of absurdity in a total stranger 
asking for my daughter’s hand ? And, pardon 
me, senor, does it not appear a little want of 


IT MARRIAGE A LOTTERY? 


33 


honorable courtesy in seeking her love witliout 
first knowing my views concerning it? ” 

‘‘Oh ; no father, no ! interposed Carmelita, 
affeationately laying her hand on Richard’s 
shoulder. “ No, it was my fault ; I loved him 
from the first moment when his brave, grand, 
loving eyes assured me of safety ere I lost con- 
sciousness on that terrible day, and I w^as so 
happy when I learned that he loved me.” 

“Carmelita, my child, you forget yourself,” 
exclaimed the old man, shocked at her loving 
demonstrations. “ Your ardent imagination and 
deep gratitude exaggerates, and he has taken 
advantage of il;.” 

“ No, no, I exaggerate nothing, forget nothing-; 
I only remember that I love him,” and to the 
utter consternation of the excited father, Car- 
melita threw herself on Richard ’s breast and 
sobbed in his arms. 

d’enderly caressing the beautiful girl, and 
soothing her agitation by many Spanish terms 
of endearment, to the evident delight of Juanita 
and further discomfiture of the don, Richard 
calmly addressed him : 

“ Seiior, I will not attempt to offer any apolo- 
gies for our mutual love, since it was beyond 
the power of either to avoid or control it, if we 
had desired it ; and I perfectly agree with you 


34 


IS MARRIAGE A LOTTERY? 


in your estimate of Carmelita’s worth, which 
estimate cannot possibly be greater than mine, 
since I wish her to become my wife. But the 
business aspect of the affair is another matter, 
and in this you certainly have the right to know 
who and what I am. My family ancestry in 
New York equals yours in origin and history, 
and I am prepared to prove that I have not dis- 
graced them.” 

All that may be true,” responded Senor 
Cortina, and I will not doubt it ; but what 
means have you to support my daughter in the 
style to which she is accustomed and is 
entitled ? ” 

^^Ah, senor, I will be frank with you; 
unavoidable misfortune has visited my family. 
I am now comparatively poor, and I am here 
seeking some method of improving my financial 
condition. I do not ask to marry now — I will 
wait — I only wish your consent.” 

‘^Then,” exclaimed the old man, meanly 
catching the idea that he was an adventurer 
seeking to mend his fortunes by a wealthy 
marriage, ‘‘I imagine you think marriage a 
good speculation ; a sort of lottery with a rich, 
noble wife as the capital prize. No, no, Senor 
Gilbert, it cannot be ; you must look farther.” 

Kichard’s blue eyes became steel, his cheek 



» 





IS MARRIAGE A LOTTERY ? 37 

burned and lip quivered, and ill would it have 
fared with any hut his darling’s father who 
had uttered an insult so gross and wanton. 

Again Carmelita’s little hands caressingly 
sought his as if in fear that Eichard might 
forget that it was her father, and exclaimed : 

“ Oh ! Richard, forgive him ; he does not 
mean it ; he does not.” 

Filled with emotion, she fell on her knees 
before the proud man saying: Oh, father, I beg, 
I implore you to reconsider this. Oh, you will 
not refuse us — you surely cannot destroy 
our happiness for life, for the sake of a few 
paltry dollars. I cannot, I shall not sell my 
heart for gold — for money. No, father, I beseech 
you to grant us this. I love him dearer than 
life. Even though he is poor I cannot give him 
up,” and a gleam of scorn flashed like lightning 
from the depths of her eyes. 

For a moment Don Fernando was overwhelmed, 
and stood in speechless astonishment at this 
passionate outburst from his daughter, who had 
never before shown resistance. 

Juanita for once was silent, and sat like a 
statue ■ witnessing the impressive scene, and 
would have murmured a kind word, but was 
repelled by the cold flash that shown in Doii 
Fernando’s eyes, 


38 


IS MARRIAGE A LOTTERY ? 


Crushed and heart wrung Carmelita rose 
from her humble position, and moved by the 
spirit of love, advanced to Richard, placed her 
hands in his confidingly, exclaiming : 

^^Oh! Ricardo, how cruel!” and again to 
the chagrin of the irate don and tlie increased 
satisfaction of the impressible Juanita, Richard 
soothed her with gentle words, and turning 
with fearless dignity to the old man, said with 
no tone of irritation or excitement : 

^^Senor Cortina, I pardon your unjust sus- 
picions as you do not know me, and for that 
reason I have no right to complain, but may I 
ask what amount of money w^ould you consider 
should relieve me of the charge of being a mer- 
cenary adventurer, and enable me to support a 
wife ? ” 

The don hesitated ‘ ^ between the horns of a 
dilemma.” He really had other plans for his 
(laughter’s marriage, and had no idea of consent- 
ing to what he regarded as a mere romantic 
caprice in this case. Yet his nice sense of honor 
made him a little ashamed of his coarse allusion 
in the face of Richard’s frankness and courtly 
dignity, and in rather a conciliatory tone he 
replied : 

^^Senor, since you seem disposed to accept a 
lousiness interpretation of the case, I know 


IS MARRIAGE A LOTTERY? 


39 


nothing of New York, but in Jilexico one cannot 
maintain a proper social position on less than 
150,000. But let us drop the subject. You 
say you are poor and as an honorable man you 
will not take advantage of my child’s infatuation 
and our obligation to you.'’ 

^^No, senor ; as a honorable man and sincere 
lover of your child, we will not drop the subject. 
That is not Love’s method. You have named 
150,000 as the sum required, and I accept the 
condition. If within two years I shall prove 
to you that J have earned and possess that 
amount, have I your promise that I may marry 
Carmelita? That is the business aspect of it. 
Yes or no? ” 

‘^^Of course, yes,” exclaimed Juanita, '^it was 
his own proposition.” 

Carmelita, with a sublime confidence in her 
lover that he was sure to accomplish a little 
thing like acquiring $50,000, effusively kissed 
the old don as if the wedding day was imminent 
already. 

^‘To be sure, father, Ricardo will wait. I 
will only be twenty, then ; only think, I will 
be with you two years. Ah, do say yes ; that’s 
a dear, good father.” 

With a wry face, the don replied : 

^'Well, it shall be as you say, Don Ricardo, 


40 IS MARKIAGE A LOTTERY ? 

until you are able to present yourself with the 
sum agreed. ” 

^‘It shall he/’ said Richard. 

Don Fernando stalked from the room in his 
stateliest manner, and Maraquita, entering with 
a tray of chocolate, heard the closing words of 
the conference. She had never, in all the years 
she had lived in the family, beheld the master 
so excited ; but her love was for Oarmelita, the 
child of her care, and, taking Juanita by the 
hand, she gently led her from the room, leaving 
the lovers alone, 

Richard felt his senses stagger as he gazed 
upon Oarmelita, who rose from the silk cushion 
upon which she was sitting. Clasping her in his 
arms, in a lover’s softest tone he exclaimed : 

‘•'Tell me, darling; tell me, Oarmelita, that 
you will be true —that you will love me forever ! 
I must leave you now, to strive to make a for- 
tune — to gain the sum that will bring me so 
much happiness, so great a treasure. Only 
promise me, my darling, that you will wait for 
me; that you will be patient. Once more, let 
me hear you say that you love me; that you will 
be mine ! ” 

“ Ricardo, I shall be yours in heart and love, 
even though cruel fortune should part us, and 
should I be forced to marry another, my heart, 


IS MARRIAGE A LOTTERY ? 


41 


my love, snail dwell with yon in memory. But 
oh, Eicardo, dear, I shall love you so long as 
the Kio Grrande flows — I shall love you forever. 

I love but you.” 

He had drawn her closer that he might lose 
none of the sacred sentiments that trembled, 
upon her lips, while she struggled to keep back 
the tears of regret at parting, that filled her 
dark, sad eyes. 

Thank you, Carmelita., my precious one ! 
I shall live but for you. God grant that I may 
claim you as my bride within two years from 
to-day. Bless you, my sweet angel ; farewell, 
my love; farewell, Carmelita ! ” and placing his 
hand upon the red rose in her corsage, he drew 
it from its resting place, and thrusting it in his 
breast pocket, slipped a little love locket in her 
hand, and then, passionately covering her face 
with kisses, whispered for the last time : 

Farewell, my beautiful Carmelita; until we 
meet again ; farewell — my plighted wife— fare- 
well ! ” 


V. 


So you don’t approve of my marriage, San- 
cho ? What’s the matter now, you old philoso- 
pher? I thought you were struck with my 
beautiful senorita.” 

La, Massa Eichard! I aint no philosopede, 
like you say. De Spanish gal is mighty pretty — 
dats a fac; but you see marriage, Massa Eichard, 
ain’t like makin’ love— dat when you git tired 
you jist run away— de knot gets tangled round 
yer neck an’ de more you struggle de tighter it 
gits till death cuts de rope. Pretty women gits 
mighty ugly an’ old sometimes ” 

Well, I am getting old, too, at the same time, 
you old cynic. We love each other truly and 
really — and what more is there? If I make 
$50,000 in two years, Carmelita is mine.” 

“ Bress de Lord ! Massa Eichard ! ” and old 
Sancho dropped the coat he was brushing, in 
unconcealed amazement. Whar we gwine to 
get $50,000 in two years ? ’Hope well an’ habe 
well’ is a mighty good saying, but $50,000 ! 
La, Massa Eichard, how did you get so bad in 
love so quick? ” 

“Well, Sancho, you have been, my good, 


IS MARRIAGE A LOTTERY? 


43 


faithful friend ever since I was horn, and in any 
a time your sharp simplicity and old proverbs 
have kept me from trouble ; so don’t discourage 
me now. I am in love this time for sure — and 
Don Cortina consents to the marriage if I am 
worth 150,000 in two years. See, now, no more 
proverbs ; ’tis work, I know, Sancho.” 

For de Lord’s sake, Massa Kichard, ‘nothing 
venture nothing have,’ an’ you’ so much in love! 
Well, old dad used to say every man should 
think dar war but one good woman in de 
world an’ his wife was dat one. De Spanish 
gal is awful pretty— dem eyes ob hers an’ dat 
soft, sweet voice. I ’spec’ you’s right. De good 
Lord help you to get her, hut de money, Massa 
Eichard ; mighty slim chance — $50,000 in two 
years — mighty slim chance.” 

“ Ah, that’s the talk, Sancho ; I am willing to 
work and want you to stand by me.” 

“ Me stand by ? Why, Massa Eichard, haven’t 
I stood by since ^mu wore trousers ? Only 
cowards hold back when der friends are in 
danger ; we’ll git de Spanish gal no fear. W ork ? 
ob course we will. You ketch no fish if youse 
afraid to wet your feet ; but, Massa Eichard, I 
can’t git thro’ my old kinky bar how you got in 
love .so quick an’ bad. I never saw you like dis 
afor’. Youse been hard hit heaps ob times. I 


44 IS MAKEIAGE A l.OTTERY ? 

thought Missie Belle would be my missis, but 1 
’clare to goodness dis bangs de bugs. ” 

Yes, Sancho, Miss Belle was charming and 
all that, but too much like so many others ; not 
the one, don't you see ? Carmelita is my fate, 
and I will never marry ; never, Sancho : never, if 
I fail here.’’ 

^MYell, Massa Richard, we ain’t gwine to fail 
— an awful pile of money, but de Lord helps dem 
dat helps demselves.” 

This conversation between Richard and his 
servant had occurred some months after his 
parting with Carmelita, and he had entered into 
the new life of toil and hope. 

Many miles from the city of Chihuahua in 
the wildest portion of Texas, from luxury to 
privation, Richard Gilbert, in wide sombrero 
rode in every direction over the mesquite 
prairie, through the immense herds of cattle, 
with as much safety as Daniel of old in the lion’s 
den. 

lie had invested his entire capital in stock, 
including horned cattle, horses, mules and 
sheep. With this large start he hoped and bid 
fair to realize a fortune, and with loving 
thoughts of Carmelita, he shrewdly calculated 
his prospective wealth with great delight. 

Hello! Sancho,” exclaimed Richard as he 


IS MARRIAGE A LOTTERY ? 


45 


entered the rude ranch, “anything the 
matter ? 

“ De matter ? Oh, no, Massa Richard, nothin’ 
to speak ob. Ize bein’ spectin’ you for de last 
hour, an’ it peers like you want to git killed, de 
reckless way you go ridin’ ober de wilderness, 
like de wild wind, neber stoppin’ to think of 
de danger. ” 

Richard smiled grimly. 

Danger, Sancho ? — ha— no more danger 
than there is on Broadway. Don’t worry about 
me. I never enjoyed myself so much in all my 
life as I do now. I am getting on famously. 
Things went gloriously at the sub-ranch to- 
day.” 

Though he spoke lightly his face wore a 
weary look, and his long boots were covered 
with dust. 

Carelessly throwing himself down beside the 
fire he stared at the slapjack that old Sancho 
was dexterously turning over the open fire, and 
with an expression as if he was hungry, he 
asked : Isn’t that slapjack done, Sancho ? ” 

“ More haste, less speed, Massa Richard. Can’t 
hurry slapjacks. Dem an’ fortune must be taken 
on de turn all right,” replied the cook as he 
placed the hot cakes on the plate. 

Richard took his place at the table with 


46 IS MARRIAGE A LOTTERY ? 

coffee, slapjacks and fried bacon before him ; 
rude as the menu was he ate the food with an 
appetite and gusto that had been missing in 
New York at Delmonico’s, as he told Sancho. 

‘ •' No sauce like hunger ” and glancing at the 
old servant with a satisfied look he said : 

Aha I Sancho, this is fit for a king — you 
seem to know just how to make a man happy. 
What splendid coffee ; it never tasted better.” 

He put down the cup from which he had 
been sipping. 

Lor ! massa, you done forget de coffee an’ 
turkey an’ puddin’ an’ champagne in yer dear 
ole father’s house back in Fifth avenue ? ” 

“ Oh, no, Sancho, I haven’t forgotten, ” he 
replied, ‘‘but it is sheer madness to think of 
those things now; nothing to equal this. As you 
say, hunger is a great sauce. There is a bold 
independence connected with this isolated life, 
miles and miles away from civilization, that is 
unexplainable ; ’tis glorious, boy ! I like it.” 

After doing ample justice to the old darkey’s 
cooking lie seemed well pleased and lighting his 
pipe, sat down on the chair before the fire and 
fell to smoking in a happy frame of mind. 

“ I say Sancho, we had a hard day’s work. 
The shepherds passed a lively time of it shearing 
that bleating flock, and. the very mischief let 


IS MAKRIAGE A LOTTERY ? 47 

loose when the tarantulas nestling in the wool, 
frightened some of the green hands/’ 

^^ Lor, sak’s ! massa, turantulas ! I’d as soon 
see a snake as one ob dem black-legged spiders 
after me.” 

^‘Poisonous reptile,” said Eichard frankly, 
‘^but we are all right now; the sheep are clipped 
and turned out to browse on the range. The pack 
mules with twenty thousand pounds of wool, by 
this time are miles along on the trail to the station; 
a fine lot, Sancho, worth 14,000 or more.” 

Sancho watched his master, who appeared un- 
usually happy, as he knocked the ashes from 
his pipe and placed it on the shelf. He stood 
fora moment in the doorway looking out in the 
bright moonlight that clearly reflected every 
tree and shrub ; casting a silvery gleam over 
the vast expanse of country,, broken by dense 
thickets of chaparral and mesquite, with tall 
sycamores and pecan trees rising from the rich 
soil of the open prairie, and a series of pens and 
sub-ranches scattered miles along the range. 

Beautiful night,” he said. A beautiful 
night, and such a moon, as clear as a bell, never 
beamed outside the Lone Star State. 1*11 go to 
bed now, Sancho. I must start early , in the 
morning to overtake the pack train at Painted 
Cave, and run down to San Antonio on the 


48 


IS MABRIAGE A LOTTERY? 


railroad sell the wool. Hope to keep clear of 
of the confidence men that usually put in an 
appearance.” 

Sancho nodded thoughtfully, and as his weary 
master drew his blanket around him and lay 
down, he blew out the candle that had burned 
low, and threw himself down before the fire to 
sleep. 

Outside, the silence of the wilderness was in- 
tense. Quiet and abstracted Richard lay with 
his eyes closed, but he did not sleep ; before his 
mental vision rose the slim, graceful figure of 
Carmelita, her dark face turned to the waning 
light, her sad eyes fixed upon him with a wist- 
ful tenderness. In the stillness of the night, 
this girl of surpassing loveliness, to whom he is 
plighted, stands like a guardian angel before him 
and reigns supreme in his heart. 

Suddenly there are sounds of horse’s hoofs and 
a sharp, quick voice is heard, and presently 
Tom Green, a stalwart cowboy, with pistols and 
bowie-knife at his waist, stood at the door in the 
clear moonlight, and exclaimed : 

Great God, Gilbert ! the damned greasers 
are on our trail— they have laid their snares 
for us ten miles away in the chaparral thicket 
where the trail crosses the main road. The 
cussed thieves have raided the country for twenty 


IS MAKRIAGE A LOTTERY? 


49 


miles around, and we are lucky if they don’t 
clean us out before morning.” 

“ Confound the scoundrels,” cried Richard, 
springing to his feet, just what I feared ! Are 
there many of them ? ” 

“ Can’t say,” retorted Tom, It’s a hundred 
to one against us, if the yellow devils reach the 
range and cross the trail before we get there, that 
the wool and mules are lost.” 

Richard looked oiykinto the night ; he knew 
that the venture before him was dangerous, that 
the plain stretching away to the river might 
be filled with outlaws and thieves, and in all 
probability his life would depend largely on his 
skill with his revolver. 

Of course, you are ready for a mad attack. 
If I were in your boots I would only be too glad 
to end the game.” 

‘^I’ll be hanged if I don’t,” returned Tom, 
promptly. 

In another instant Richard, well armed, 
sprang into the saddle. The horse, whose ' 
patience ran parallel with his master’s, pressed 
close behind Tom Green’s fleet animal, that 
seemed to understand the necessity of haste, 
went flying over the country. 

Richard kept a sharp lookout for the outlaws, 
expecting every morneut to bo attacked ; and 


50 


IS MAERIAGE A LOTTERY? 


fearing that the desperadoes might spring upon 
him from the shadows of the trees, his hand 
rested on his revolver ready at a moment’s 
warning to draw it forth. 

Sancho, by dint of entreaty, had obtained 
Richard’s permission to accompany liim. His 
face was calm, and what he thought of the 
business no one could tell, save his eyes with 
anxious expression continually sought his 
master’s face, who was staring to catch the 
first glimpse of the enemy. 

Sancho carried an old, double-barrelled shot- 
gun of his master’s, and although usually pas- 
sive and expressionless, there was a dangerous 
gleam in his eyes. 

Tom Green suddenly shouted : 

Here they are ! Hold ! you damned 
thieves ! ” 

A report was heard, and in quick succession 
the bullets whizzed through the air over their 
heads, and the flashes of light illuminated the 
scene. 

A cry of encouragement came from Richard’s 
lips, and the next moment the stillness of the 
night was made hideous by the defiant yells of 
the enemy ; lights flashed, pistols fired, and with 
a half-smothered cry of warning from Sancho 
and n blaze from his shotgun, a Mexican, who 


Bravo, Sancho, old hoy, bravo, now is our time. 








IS MARRIAGE A LOTTERY? 


53 


had aimed at Richard from the chaparral on the 
left, sprang into the air with a scream and fell. 

Richard, whose attention was riveted at the 
moiiK nt on the party in front, and whose fire 
they had just received, saw the fall and the flash 
from Sancho’s gun, and realized that the faith- 
ful old man had saved his life. 

“ Bravo ! Sancho, old hoy! hravo ! Now is our 
time.” 

Richard dashed into the bushes, firing right 
and left. Sancho kept by his side. Two of the 
outlaws rose from the mesquite and fired, one 
ball whizzing over Richard’s head and another 
passed through Sancho’s hat. 

‘^^Bress de Lord I ” exclaimed the old darkey, 
“for de name’s sake, 0 Lord I pardon my 
iniquity, for it am great.” And again Sancho’s 
gun brought down the enemy, while Richard 
and Tom Green made matters lively for the 
marauders, who, unable to withstand the furi- 
ous onslaught from their pursuers, one by one 
had fled, but not without accomplishing their 
scheme. 

The pack train had disappeared. Richard 
came upon the vacant camping grounds where 
two of his muleteers, who had been killed wdh 
knives during the stampede of the train, lay 
dead. 


54 


IS MAKRIAGE A LOTTERY ? 


‘ ‘ I know now why you boys are always crav- 
ing for a fight,” said Eichard. . 

“ The damned cov/ards ! ” returned Tom in a 
rage. ^^Fd like to catch them.” 

They have played their game well,” returned 
Richard. “ While a portion of the gang engaged 
us at a distance, the remainder have seized the 
train, and by this time have run the mules and 
wool across the Eio Grande, and are probably 
safe on the Mexican side.” 

Yes, they’ve gone now, an’ I’ll be hang’d if 
it wasn’t the hottest fight I ever saw,” cried 
Tom, showing symptoms of strong vengeful 
intentions, as he dashed madly off towards the 
river. 

Richard had exhausted his pistols, his knife 
was useless, and realizing that all was lost, he 
concluded it would be perfect folly to pursue 
them further or to attempt to enter their chosen 
pirate grounds. 

“Ah, Sancho ! you are the hero of this fight, 
a first-class cowboy you would make. With all 
our shooting we killed but one and wounded 
several, but you’re a dead shot, old boy, and 
saved my life, for I did not see the rascal in the 
bush at all. ” 

“ Bress de Lord ! Massa Richard, what’s a pore 
nigger to do? He wus gwine to shoot you, an’ 


IS MARRIAGE A LOTTERY ? 


55 


de Bible says he dat digs a pit shall fall into 

‘^Yes, Sancho, it was prophetic — his case 
anyway. Come on ; Tom Green is not coming 
back.” 


VI. 


With Sancho following closely, he turned 
and rode through the thorny chaparral, taking 
the trail that led over the foothills towards 
the ranch. 

Hello ! who’s here?” he cried, coming 
unexpectedly upon a form lying prostrate 
almost beneath his horse’s feet. 

I’m here ! who in the deuce are you ? ” 
retorted the voice of a man. 

A groan escaped him as if he were suffering. 
The moonlight fell full upon his face ; his big 
hat had fallen from his head and the long hair 
hung down on his shoulders in a tangled mass. 
He wore buckskin breeches with long boots. 
His only possession seemed to be two old belt 
pistols, one of which was broken at the breech, 
and a bowie-knife, evidently the worse for hav- 
ing been in varied and constant use. 

Forgetful of his own misfortune, Richard 
sprang from his horse and shaking the man, 
asked, sympathizingly : 

^■What’s the matter ?” The man slowly lifted 
his head and said : 

I’m played ! Those cussed devils have given 


IS MARRIAGE A LOTTERY ? 


57 


me a close call this time. I’ll sell my life for 
all it’s worth. I’ve fought herds of them in my 
day — but, this time, I’m damned if they didn’t 
steal my pony, blanket and bag, and left me 
doubled up to die.” 

He turned away his face that was pale and 
haggard. It was p'ain that he was in pain. 

Come ! ” said Eichard, kindly, again taking 
hold of him, You are hurt.” 

‘^Cuss hurt ! A scratch,” he replied. 

But you may die ; you are worse than you 
think.” 

Oh, cuss death. There is no such good 
luck for me. Why in the thunder didn’t the 
villains kill me right out ? Say, you better 
leave me alone.” 

‘‘ I will not do that. Come with me,” said 
Richard. Come, my man.” 

A cry of agony went out as with strong arms 
Richard lifted the helpless man upon liis horse, 
and in another instant they were riding along. 

You’re a fool !” cried the man. ‘^Why 
can’t you let me die.” 

Speaking encouraging words to the wounded 
man, who presently reemed to have fallen into 
a stupor, Richard headed straight across the 
prairie, without slacking pace until he reached 
home. 


58 


IS MARRIAGE A LOTTERY ? 


‘‘De man’s done gone crazy ! ” said Sancho, 
as he assisted Richard to carry him in and lay 
him on the cot. 

He had evidently grown worse as they rode. 
His mind was wandering and he t :lked wildly 
of Indian fights, buffalo hunts and raids, but 
never spoke of his family, friends or himself. 

^^His arm is bleeding,” said Richard, and 
with a tenderness equal to that of a woman, he 
cut open the torn sleeve and made his examina- 
tion. 

^^Ah, I see; bullet gone right through — 
that is fortunate; no probing is necessary. Let’s 
look at the other. Well, only a scratch on that 
arm. Poor fellow, he's in hard luck.” 

Meanwhile Sancho had brought out the medi- 
cine chest, and. stood watching his master with 
great admiration, as he skillfully dressed the 
wound and .bound it up, giving the stranger 
medicine, which he swallowed and soon sank to 
sleep. 

^ ‘ Bress de Lord ! Massa Richard, de wick- 
edness ob man turns to de glory ob de Lord ; 
you’re a real smart doctor.” 

Richard filled his pipe, and, sleepless from 
the excitement, threw himself down before the 
fire, haggard and pale, deeply distressed by the 
great loss that had come upon him. He puffed 


IS MARKIAGE A LOTTERY ? 


59 


his pipe hopelessly, taking little notice of San- 
cho, who boiled some coffee, and handing him 
a cupful, said : 

Gracious ! Massa, dat war a big fight to- 
night. ’Pon my soul, I didn’t ’xpect to see you 
come out alive — a mighty slim chance; an’ all 
dem greasers a shootin’ at you.” 

Eichard laughed, and drinking the coffee, he 
put the tin cup down, and taking another puff' 
at his pipe, he quickly replied : 

‘"‘^Why, where were you, you black rascal? 
You talk as if I was the only one there. We 
did have a very narrow escape, that’s a fact, 
l^oy, with everything against us, and the 
most confounded luck. If we had only reached 
there twenty minutes earlier the cowardly 
thieves wouldn’t have gotten away with all that 
wool. But its gone now, and what’s the use ? 
It’s past recovery. I’ll know how to manage 
next time.” 

Although Eichard tried to appear cheerful, a 
troubled look crossed his weary features, and 
with a heavy heart he rose slowly, saying : 

I think that I’ll turn in now. I shall be 
wanted in an hour or two, for if I am not 
mistaken there will be a sick man here for a week 
or so. Call me if you hear anything.” 

‘ ‘ All right, massa, you need de rest, but look, 


60 


IS MAKKIAGE A LOTTEEY ? 


dar’s de dawn cornin’ np in de east. It will soon 
be daybreak.” 

Richard made no reply, but wrapping the 
blanket around him he lay down. The 
restlessness with which he attempted to sleep 
attracted the old servants attention, and he 
stood for a moment watching his master’s 
troubled face, muttering ‘^Massa Richards, a 
Samaritan — bress de Lord. If de enemy is 
hungry, give him bread, and if thirsty, give him 
water to drink. ’ ’ 

Turning, he glanced at the sick man who was 
in a deep sleep, and then blowing out the candle, 
all was quiet, and he, too, sought rest. 

Two hours later, the gray dawn had scarcely 
cleared away when Tom Green entered. He had 
been to Painted Cave and dispatched to San 
Antonio a report of the raid that had resulted 
in the killing of three men, and with the natural 
antipathy that exists between the cowboy and 
the Mexican, he exclaimed : 

‘•Foul fight that ! I*d like to catch them. 
I’ll be damned if I wouldn't open fire at sight 
There’s more glory in killing one cattle thief 
than there is in shooting a dozen hostile 
Indians.” 

A more beastly affray I never saw,” said 


IS MARRIAGE A LOTTERY ? 


61 


Richard, getting up from his blankets, looking 
little better for the rest he had taken. 

A hard night of it,’^ said Tom, ^‘1 reckon 
I’d better turn in at the quarter-mile ranch for 
an hour or so ; but, sir, your order for the day’s 
work ? ” 

Richard answered briefly : 

We might as well keep right on, driving up 
and branding the young stock; gathering and 
selecting all those ready for the Kansas market. 
I’ll go over to tlie sub-ranch soon.” 

“ All right, sir,” replied Tom, as he 
disappeared. 

Slowly the remembrance of the night’s events 
passed into Richard Gilbert’s consciousness, 
and going to the cot he looked down on the 
stranger^ who lay very quiet with his eyes open. 
He was unable to move his arm, and apparently 
suffering, but with a determined look on his 
pale face that bespoke the heart of a warrior. 
He bore the pain without flinching. 

Richard spoke good-naturedly, saying : 

Glad to see you safe, if not sound ; nothing 
serious, I hope. ” 

The sick man stared at him in silence, with- 
out an attempt to answer. 

Here, come; would you like to drink this 
coffee that Sancho has made for you ? ” 


62 


IS MARRIAGE A LOTTERY: ? 


He drank it slowly. 

then/^ said Eichard, just let me see 
how your arm is.’’ 

Cuss arm,” replied the man, turning his 
face away. 

Will you give your name ? ” 

Cuss my name ! ” he quickly returned. 

'No name ! What do your friends call you?” 

Cuss friends ! Ain’t got any.” 

Who are you ? You must belong to some- 
body.” 

Cuss somebody ! I belong to nobody.” 

W^ell, who in the dickens are you?” 
returned Eichard, sharply. Come, my boy, 
this is not right. Who are you ? ” 

^^I’m Unlucky Jack, the wanderer.” 

Haven’t you any other name? ” 

“ I was christened Martin Jackson, but 1 was 
born unlucky, and my name got twisted into 
Unlucky Jack.” 

How did it happen that you was in the 
fight last night ? ” 

I wasn’t in your fight,” he answered 
hoarsely. I was riding along in the moonlight 
when a couple of cussed Mexicans fired into me, 
and when I lost my grip and fell, they ran off 
with my bag and old Dan, my pony, that has 
been carrying me over this country for years.” 


IS MARRIAGE A LOTTERY ? 


63 


His eyes grew dim and his courage gave way 
when he spoke of the pony, hut with an effort, 
weak as he was, he recovered himself. 

Come, IJnlncky Jack, cheer up ! ” said 
Eichard, soothingly. You are not so unfor- 
tunate as you imagine ; you will soon he all 
right again. You are safe here — I will see you 
through.” 

I reckon not. I’m about played,” the 
sufferer replied. I was cussed from the 
beginning. My ancestors must have done 
something. I*m sure they have, because my 
grandfather kept a tavern, and you can’t keep 
a tavern without selling rum. Fate never 
prospered me. I’ve been kicking hard against 
the world ever since I came into it ; all on 
account of the cussedness of my forefathers. 
There is no use — I’ll give up the game — with 
hard luck slinging against me.” With a look 
of scorn overshadowing . even his expression of 
pain he continued almost spitefully : ^^Hang 
me ! when I was left to die, if my cussed luck 
didn’t send you to pick me up and bring me 
back again, but you’ll see if somethin’ don’t 
wipe me out yet.” 

He attempted to get up, but fell back 
exhausted and faint. No further questions 
were asked. For a moment he resisted all 


64 


IS MARRIAGE A LOTTERY ? 


attention, his system burning with fever, was 
weak from the loss of blood ; and half delirious, 
he wildly repeated : 

Go lang, Dan, old boy, go lang.’^ 

‘^Bress de Lord, de sins ob de father visited 
on de children,’^ muttered Sancho. 

“Never mind your scripture now, Sancho; 
help me here,” and removing the dressing from 
his arm Eichard discovered a number of old 
scars to prove that his patient had led a wild 
life. Fresh bandages were applied, and when 
Eichard left, the wounded man appeared more 
comfortable. 

It was not long when Sancho said : 

Here, I’ze fetched somethin’ for you. 
Unlucky Jack; ” and he stood over him with a 
bowl of smoking gruel. 

Unlucky Jack raised his eyes with a sudden 
surprise, as if in his wanderings such acts of 
kindness were foreign to his experience and 
theory, but with a softened expression he too.x 
it, feebly saying : 

“ Well, I’m done ; if you ain’t a good fellow, 
and that Eichard is a brave frontiersman, or I 
miss my calculation. Square fellow — square.” 

“ He’s a mighty good man,” said Sancho. 

“ Yes, that’s what I call a good man — a 
square deal. I ain’t seen much of it,” 


IS MARRIAGE A LOTTERY? 65 

When Sancho offered to comb his long hair 
and dress him, he objected : 

‘‘No, no ; cuss hair and dress. I’ll never be 
able to square up for all you have done already. 
Hain’t got a cent in the world. Hard luck is 
agin my ever doing a good turn for anyone,” 
and as if he was fearful of making too much 
trouble, he added : “ J ust leave my grub on the 
stand there — that’s all.” 

It had been an unusually busy day. At sun- 
down when the grand cattle hunt was over and 
the stock had been penned for the night, Tom 
Green, with his fellow drovers, gathered at the 
quarter-mile ranch and talked over the depreda- 
tions of the previous night, declaring vengence 
and a strong desire to annihilate the thieves on 
short notice. 

Almost a week had passed since the night of 
the raid, and with the accumulating work and 
responsibility, Richard had quite forgotten the 
loss of the wool, and with a kindly consideration 
for the unfortunate man that he had picked up 
that night he had carefully watched his re- 
covery. 

One day, coming home unexpectedly, he was 
surprised at the sight of Unlucky Jack— who, 
under his treatment, together with Sancho’s good 
nursing, had gained strength— walking across 


66 


IS MARRIAGE A LOTTERY ? 


the floor. He stood erect before the fire, liis 
lame arm resting in a sling, his face still thin 
and haggard. 

Hello ! Unlucky Jack,’’ he said. Glad to 
see you up at last — hard time of it. Better, eh ? ” 

‘^Better,” repeated Unlucky Jack, with a per- 
ceptible tone of gratitude in his voice. Yes, 
what cussed dog could keep from getting better 
with everything flung in his way to make him 
well ? I’ll be hanged if I can ever square ac- 
counts with you — dead broke all the time.” 

^^Ha ! ha ! don’t mention it,” laughed Eich- 
ard lightly, You are welcome, my poor fellow, 
to our camp and provisions so long as you wish 
to remain. Don’t let that trouble you.” 

‘^Well, I’m cussed if I ever had anybody 
treat me like this before. Too much for me. I 
ain’t used to it. I’m cussed if I don’t make for 
new diggins. I will go.” 

“ He’s gwine to gibe us de slip,” said Sancho. 

“ Oh, no ; Unlucky Jack, don't hurry,” said 
Eichard cordially. Wait until you are strong,” 
and turning to Sancho he added, well, old boy; 
what about the dinner ? I am hungry and 
played out. Come, Unlucky Jack, it’s ready ; 
sit down and help yourself.” 

For a moment the unlucky man looked into 
Eichard’s face with something like amazement. 


IS MARRIAGE A LOTTERY ? 


67 


and seemed to study him from his soul ; then 
reluctantly taking the stool at the table he ate 
almost in silence, afterward smoking the pipe 
that Kichard handed him ; when suddenly, as if 
he had made up his mind, he buckled on his 
pistol belt, and taking his knife, put his big hat 
on and turned to go with the tone and air of one 
determined to suppress some burst of feeling. 
He ^merely said : 

‘H’m done ; it’s no use. Good-bye! I’m 
cussed if I can ever forget this good turn. 
Good-bye. ’ ’ 

^‘Hole on!” cried Sancho, here, take dis 
— you’ll need it by-an’-by,” and he thrust a bag 
of crackers and cheese into the poor man’s hand. 

Wish you better luck. Unlucky Jack,” said 
Eichard. Good-bye ! ” 

A sad look crossed his face, and without say- 
ing another word, the unfortunate man went on 
his lonely way. 

He war mighty near cryin’,” said Sancho. 

‘^Yes, Sancho; one must have pretty hard 
experiences of man’s inhumanity to man when 
a little kindness like ours affectiS him,” said 
Richard, thoughtfully. 


VII. 


After Unlucky Jack^s departure both re- 
mained silent. Sancho among his culinary 
matters and Richard with his pipe, puffing the 
smoke in curls over his head in gloomy reflection, 
when suddenly, as if struck by a new thought, 
he asked : 

Well, Sancho, how is the water ? We must 
be running very short. I wish we had more. I 
would like very much to wash my face just for 
a treat. 

‘^Mighty short, massa, mighty short. I’ze 
done fetch de last pail ob water from de spring. 
Took all night to run dat much, an’ it peers like 
it war, goin’ to run dry.” 

Not so bad as all that, Sancho, is it ? We 
shall soon be in Unlucky Jack’s predicament if 
our misfortunes continue to increase.” 

“ Yes, massa, I’ze mighty sartin we’s gwine to 
hab a drouth soon. Can’t lib without water.” 

^‘No, Sancho! I think you’re right. We 
can’t live without water, nor the stock either. 
That is just what I have been prophesying for 
some time, and if this dry weather keeps on, 
there will not be a blade of grass left ; it is dying 


IS MARRIAGE A LOTTERY ? 


69 


off fast, and the hot winds that have been blow- 
ing for miles across the country are drying up 
the soil, and there has scarcely been enough 
rain to keep the cattle troughs wet/^ 

“Well, Massa Eichard, de good Lord will 
send some rain soon. Don’t yur gib up yure faith 
in de Lord. De Bible says who faints in de day 
ob adversity deir strength is small.” 

“ Yes, that is what you have been saying for 
the last six months,” returned Richard, with a 
• distressed expression on his face ; “ but the 
stock can’t hold out much longer on faith — they 
must have water ; hundreds of them are fam- 
ishing now, simply for the want of water.” 

J ust then Tom Green unexpectedly appeared 
at the door. 

“ What, Tom ! back so soon ? What’s the 
latest news from the Kansas drove ? ” 

I’ll be darned, sir, if we didn’t have a hust- 
ling time ; there was no grass along the way ; the 
stock was going mad for fodder ; we had to cut 
down the cactus and burning off the thorns 
we managed to keep them alive, but when the 
mesquite beans and water gave out there wasn’t 
a pool to be found for miles on the hot plains 
and the cattle just laid down and died by the 
thousands.” 

^^What ! Great Heavens, you don’t mean it, 


70 


IS MARRIAGE A LOTTERY ? 


Tom — not all dead ? ” cried Kichard in a dejected 
tone, as if the news was more than he could 
bear ; but quickly gaining his self-possession he 
calmly asked : 

^‘Well, what is to become of the stock on 
the range ! ’’ 

I’ll be darned if I know,” returned Tom, 
with a thoughtful look. ^^I’ve never seen any- 
thing like this before — they have fairly gone 
mad ; chasing about like a lot of wild buffalo 
bellowing for water.” 

‘‘ Then,” said Kichard, it is only a question 
of time ; unless we have rain at once ; there are 
certainly no indications of any at present, and 
the reports say that the whole region, from the 
dry lands of Mexico for more than a thousand 
miles to the North, the country is scorched with 
hot, dry winds blowing from the South. It 
may be months before the grass grows, and the 
chances are that the stock will all die.” 

“ There seems to be no help for us,” said 
Tom, with a serious look that brightened some- 
what when Kichard said : 

‘‘ Well, sir, all we can do now is to look after 
the hides ; save them, tan the leather with the 
mesquite bark, and ship them to the San Antonio 
commission house. They will bring their worth 
in money — that is all we can do*” 


IS MARRIAGE A LOTTERY? 


71 


There was an intense silence after Tom 
Green had gone. A convulsive shudder ran 
through Eichard’s frame like that of a man who 
recoils from the worst blow of fate. 

He sank down. 

Poor Sancho stood helplessly by, appearing 
even more dejected than his master. For a 
wonder he seemed to have no proverb to fit the 
case. At last he ventured to say : 

Courage, Massa Eichard; de oak is not 
felled by one blow oh de axe.” 

‘^No, Sancho, no; hut this is not the first, 
and I fear it is but the beginning of a bad end- 
ing. My life, my hope, my love, my all de- 
pended upon my success in this business. I 
confess it, my boy, I have not the courage to 
contemplate a disaster so complete and terrible ; 
all we had in the world was invested here. It 
is all gone.” 

Bress de Lord, Massa Eichard ; wasn’t your 
father a good man, an’ don’t de Bible say, who 
ebber seen de righteous forsaken, or der seed 
beggin’ bread ? Bress de Lord, Massa Eichard, 
dere ain’t nothing lost dat comes at last.” 

‘^Sancho, my good fellow, I thank you for 
yonr sympathy, but my hope seems turned to 
despair. There is an old proverb that says, 
‘ Want of riches is the foundation of every 


72 


IS MARRIAGE A LOTTERY? 


misfortune/ and in my case it is true — too 
true ! 

And the man who had faced fate and danger 
in many forms without a tremor, threw iiimself 
on the cot in an agony of hopeless dismay. 

The wool loss I did not foresee. I could have 
weathered that, but this last blow, Saiicho, is 
utter ruin. I have feared it for weeks, but still 
hoped on ; and now the crisis has come at last.’"* 

‘^Bress de Lord; Massa Eichard, don’t gib 
way like dat,” cried Sancho, iii a tone of deep 
distress. I tell you, de Lord will neber desert 
you. He will provide away fo’ you to git out ob 
dis affliction as he provided de bread an’ de 
fishes for de multitude ; you must keep up 
your courage, massa — remember, Lija an’ de 
ravens an’ manna, in de wilderness.” 

Ah, yes, Sancho, I know all your scripture 
is correct; it is very consoling, too, but why in 
the dickens didn’t the Lord send us some rain 
if he is so fond of us ? He could have done 
that. ” 

‘ ^ Cause de water in de sky whar all dried up, 
an’ He couldn’t.” 

“ Yes, Sancho, that is it exactly; the heavens 
and the earth were dry, and so the cattle had 
to suffer and die. ” 

“ Now, Massa Eichard, ’tain’t no use talkin’ 


IS MARRIAGE A LOTTERY? 73 

dat way — you know dat de mudder ob fortune 
is dillumgence; we ain’t undone like an opened 
oyster, just because we fell once. ” 

Well, Sanclio, there is nothing more delight- 
ful than to bid welcome to hope, but that is all 
nonsense. I am ruined, and have no capital to 
begin again. Hope is a disgusted party.” 

‘‘Bress de Lord, Massa Richard; dere ain’t 
nobody so wise dat they don’t make mistakes 
sometimes, an’ nobody ain’t such a fool but may 
give good advice sometimes. When you sell de 
hides, leave dis unlucky place an’ go to de mines. 
Whar de mud is splashin’ about, better keep 
away an’ not meddle.” 

^‘’Ah ! The mines!” exclaimed Richard. 
“ Anywhere — that’s so; we can go there. Well, 
Sancho, make all the arrangements and we will 
try our fortune once more.” 

Sancho ’s face brightened as he replied : 

Oh, Massa Richard, now you is mor’ like 
y’urself ! Mor’ like y’urself— face the debble 
ob bad luck an’ he will flee from you.” 

But the old darkey’s last remark was unno- 
ticed by his master, who seemed lost in deep 
thought. 

I was wrong,” he soliloquized, to ask her 
to wait. I know she will be faithful — oh, my 
love, my sweet — my life ; my Carmelita ! Why 


74 IS MARRIAGE A LOTTERY? 

does fate deal so harshly with us ; to lose you 
will he worse than death,” and with a vision of 
her soft, dark eyes looking into his, he took 
from his pocket the faded rose that she had 
worn, and, pressing it to his lips, seemed inspired 
by the touch that imparted new strength, and, 
with a convulsive start, he threw off the despon- 
dency that had enthralled him, and, standing 
erect, he firmly said : 

“Yes, my faithful old Sancho, you are right. 
I must not lose my courage. I am resolved to 
face the fight. There may be a fortune in 
store for me. It’s a lottery anyway, and if I 
only have one chance out of thirty, I am per- 
fectly willing to take that chance. I may yet 
win a prize, but I am certain that there is no 
luck here. Eather an unfortunate speculation all 
round, and I propose that we follow the example 
of Unlucky Jack, and start for new diggings.” 

“ All right, massa. I’ll go. All right.” And 
Sancho gazed at his master, who in a tone of per- 
plexity exclaimed : 

“ But money ! Money, Sancho ! How in 
the creation are we to get the money? ” 

“Lord sak’s, Massa Richard, I don’ know 
hows wer’ gwine to git de money, unless we 
dig in de new diggin’s for it.” 

“ That’s it, Sancho, old boy, that’s it. You 


IS MARRIAGE A LOTTERY? 75 

are growing wiser every day, in spite of your 
proverbs. A capital idea. If one wants money, 
they must dig for it. Well, what do you say? 
From all accounts they are making wonderful 
discoveries at the new mining towns up in the 
Black Kange. They say they are developing won- 
derful mines, rich with gold and silver ; and 
miners are rushing there by the hundreds.” 

‘^^Yes, Massa Eichard, I’d like to go pros- 
pectin’ or diggin’ whar de gold is. It don’ make 
no difference to me, so long as I go whar de gold 
an’ silber am plenty.” 

Again our young hero, with renewed courage, 
resolved to seek a fortune. Having realized a 
small sum from the hides, with new hopes and 
undaunted energy, he was eager and anxious to 
reach the mines. 

Sancho hastened the arrangements with such 
promptness and liberal stock of provisions, that 
Eichard smilingly exclaimed : 

Why, Sancho, you don’t expect to feed an 
army, do you ? ” 

Fo’ de Lord, no, massa. I don’ ’spect to 
feed an army, but I reckon we better do as de 
chillun ob Iseral did — take our bread along. 
De Lord helps dem dat helps demselves, don’t 
you know? ” 

The cooking utensils and miner’s kit were 


76 


IS MAREIACtE a lottery? 


secured on the pack mule, and bidding farewell 
to the scenes of hope and toil and failure, they 
started out. 

Conscious of the long, dreary miles before 
them, Kichard led the way at a steady pace, 
traveling over - the hills and prairies, frequently 
passing rude jacals, inhabited by Mexicans, 
and occasionally a grand old ruin of the once 
noble missions, that had long since left only the 
debris to mark the labor of the religious enthu- 
siasm now passed into history. 

Sancho gathered the pecans that had fallen 
from the trees along the river, and stopping at 
Marfa, he replenished the supply of yeast 
powder and flour, that had unexpectedly given 
out, while Richard, skilled in hunting the 
deer and antelope, successfully provided an 
abundance of wild game, and at sundown, when 
resting in camp, Sancho, with delight would 
exclaim : 

“ Laws, Massa Richard, I’se done cooked 
heaps ob turkeys in my days, but I ’clar to good- 
ness dat I nebber seen such a plump one as dis 
afore.” 

Yes, Sancho, a flne fowl, that, but you 
know that those you used to cook in Yew York 
were tame, and this is a wild turkey ; just what 
a man needs in this wilderness to keep hisstom- 


IS MARRIAGE A LOTTERY? 


77 


ach and backbone from touching. How is it ? 
Most done? I feel as if I could devojir half of 
Texas.” 

Well, Massa Ki chard, dat is de appetite dat 
will make it taste so good. I ’spect dat am de 
reason, den, dat it takes dis turkey such a long 
while to cook, is because it hab bin wile so 
long.” 



VIIL 


At night they slept beneath the stars that 
shone in the heavens, reflecting a brightness 
only surpassed by the golden prospect before 
them — and Eichard consoled himself with the 
thought that Carmelita will yet be mine ! Oh, 
how good and beautiful she is.” And early 
morning found him hastening his speed. 

At last, after many days of traveling, he 
rejoiced as the western slope of the Black Eange 
came in sight, and they soon reached the mines. 

After prospecting for several days and select- 
ing a claim, he exclaimed with delight : 

Ah ! here it is ! I’ve struck it. By Jove — 
certain indications of gold. Look, Sancho, here 
is the red ore —the blossom rock ; we’re right on 
a gold lode; here are the indications. See, here 
it is.” 

‘^Fo’ de Lord!” exclaimed the good old 
man, you don’ tole me the rocks blossom wid 
gold 1 Oh, Lord, Massa Eichard, I done tole 
you not to gib up, dat de blessed Lord will pro- 
vide a way for you to git de Spanish gal yet.” 

Yes, great heavens ! I’ll yet Avin my prize, 
my Carmelita — I’ll have her! But— hold on. 


IS MARKIAGE A LOTTERY? 79 

Sancho, you are losing your old head. You 
don’t suppose that the gold is going to blossom 
right out of the rocks, and that we are going to 
carry it off by the load, do you ? Why, you have 
gone crazy ! See here ; this is what we call the 
croppings, a sort of indication telling the pros- 
pectors that there is ore in the ground. So 
come; if you want to get the gold, you will have 
to do as you said, ^ dig in the new diggin’s for 
it.’ ” 

A moment later their coats were off, and 
with picks and shovels they tore up the rocks 
and earth with amazing vigor and pluck. 

The earnestness with which the new comer 
and the old darkey worked was the subject of 
admiration about the camp. Older and more 
experienced prospectors than they predicted that 
it would turn out big,” that the good look- 
ing young fellow ” had struck it rich.” 

In a remarkably short time holes were exca- 
vated to a considerable depth, shafts sunk, 
and tunnelling commenced, disclosing rich 
specimens. 

Richard cried in delight : 

Oh, this is glorious I— glorious ! Look here, 
Sancho ! Just see this great nugget of gold — 
here is another ! and another ! This is the 
place. Confound it ! Why in the creation, 


80 IS MARRIAGE A LOTTERY? 

didn’t we come here first, instead of going to 
that miserable cattle ranch? Mistakes, mistakes; 
they are bound to occur. At last we are all 
right, thank Heavens ! ” 

Lor’ Massa Richard, dare’s no use oh cryin’ 
oher dead cattle now any mor’ dan spilt milk. 
I’ze dun tole you all de time dat de Lord would 
provide a way for you, an’ he’s gibin you a mighty 
nice chance to git rich now. Here is plenty 
ob wealth heah. I see some oh de miners round 
dese diggins wid heaps ob gold — an’ when dey 
make a new discobery dey just spend de money 
like it whar ob no ’count, an’ dey hab a hilarious 
time.” 

Yes, Sancho ; who in the creation wouldn’t 
have a hilarious time ? I know I shall when I 
see my Carmelita ! Heaven bless her ! She is 
just the faithful girl that I believe her to be. ” 
The next instant, with pick and shovel, his 
manly form would disappear down the shaft. 
How long he remained under ground he did 
not know. So great was his ambition to develop 
his mine, to realize a fortune for her sake, that 
he worked early and late, and it was often 
quite dark when he came up, covered with 
mud and candle-drippings. In his eagerness 
he would draw forth one after another rich 
fragment of ore exclaiming : 


Bress de Lord, massa. Oh, I'ze so rejoiced. 












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IS MARRIAGE A LOTTERY? 


83 


^^Look, Sancho ! See tlie gold — there is no 
mistake — we have it this time, my boy ! ’’ 

Bress de Lord, massa ! Oh, I’ze so rejoiced. 
You know it tain’t no use tryen to stop provi- 
dence any mo^ dan we can run agin natur. I 
tole you He would provide, so dat you’d git de 
Spanish gal ; I tole you so ! 

Sancho, I begin to believe your quaint 
doctrines are as firmly based as the rock of 
ages — you have certainly predicted right this 
time.” 

Thus encouraged they worked together with 
untiring zeal. Digging and delving in the 
earth, they passed long weary days and weeks 
of toil, with hopes and anticipations so over- 
wrought with prospects of coming success, that 
they fairly bordered on insanity. Alas ! it is a 
long lane that has no turning, and soon it began 
to appear that the ore grew less and less, as if 
about to peter out,” and finally, to the hor- 
ror oi Richard and the extreme disgust of old 
Sancho, they realized that the mine had become 
exhausted in mineral resources — utterly worth- 
less — and their efforts in the new enterprise 
was so far a total failure. 

Abandoning all hope, Richard ruefully sold 
the timber and shafting to the miners for a mere 
trifle, and thankful that he still had a few dol- 


84 


IS MAKKIAGE A LOTTERY ? 


lars left in nuggets, he turned to Sanclio with a 
firmness equal to that of the day he slew the 
bull, and exclaimed : 

^^Well, my faithful old friend, we are ruined 
again ! and badly this time.’’ 

“Bress de Lord, de poor chile ruined ? 
Oh, my poor Massa Richard ! ” cried old Sancho, 
breaking down with sympathy and emotion for 
his young master. Oh, its a dogqn shame how 
dat mine went an’ busted u]3 — after all dat 
blossom rock — it look like dere war a heap mo’ 
dan $50,000 in dar. Oh, de Lord help you, my 
poor Massa Richard,” and the poor old darkey 
trembled with grief. 

am afraid, Sancho, that your entreaties 
with the Almighty may be very good, but they 
are like our mine — ^petered out.’ The Lord 
has a few chosen people whom he favors, while 
the rest take their chances at fortune's wheel — 
that turns out a blank ; at least, it does for us.” 

Hopeful as he had hitherto been, his courage 
had at last failed him. For a moment he gave 
way to a feeling of absolute discouragement. 
His strong heart was crushed within him, his 
cherished hopes and ambition had vanished, 
and in self-reproach, he condemned himself for 
'liaving entertained the idea that he could make 
$50,000 in two years. 


IS MARRIAGE A LOTTERY? 


85 


fool; poor fool ! ” he exclaimed, ‘Ho 
hope against hope, and now, for lack of wealth, 
forced to sacrifice happiness for life.” 

In bitter soliloquy he condemned the cruel 
fate that was keeping his loved one from his 
arms — and should they never meet again his 
love for her would live on forever. 

“ Well, Sancho, my destiny is decided. I am 
doomed ; the two years are almost ended, and 
now I must give up all hope of ever marrying 
vSenorita Carmelita.” 

“No, no, Massa Richard; don’ you gib up ! 
She’ll be your wife yet, don’ I tole yon so.” 

“ Never! ” returned Richard, sharply. 

“ Yes, Massa, I’ze dun tole you de Lord will 
provide a way for you to git dat Spanish gal yet. 
You see; I dun tole you.” 

“ It is settled. Never say anything more 
about it. Come, let us go, Sancho; and try and 
forget our failures.” 

Richard gathered up his traps, and turning 
towards the door, started to go. 

“ Fo’ de Lord’s sake; massa; you don’ spect 
to walk all de way back to de city, do you, ober 
dese rocky roads? ” 

“ Yes, Sancho. It is very, very rough, and I 
know the walking is bad, but you know that our 


86 


IS MARRIAGE A LOTTERY? 


horses were stolen from the camp, and how in 
creation are we going to ride without them? ” 

‘‘ Dats so; misfortunes neber come by halfs, 
but you forget, massa — dare am de stage. 

Well, well — here — let this decide the ques- 
tion. Heads, stage it — tails, walk it,’’ and 
Richard recklessly tossed his last dollar. 

^^All right,” said Sancho, say heads — 
ride.” 

Ah ! Heads have it — you’re a lucky dog! — 
the stage. Well, come along, old boy, we’ll 
stage it down the canon.” 

It was night, the dreariness of the Black 
range was intense, with a cold cutting wind 
blowing the fine particles of snow in every 
direction. The half dozen passengers had set- 
tled themselves comfortably for the long jaunt. 
The horses, familiar with the mountain road, 
dashed fea^rlessly along, making good time on 
the down grade, and had just reached a slope 
covered with rocks and chapparal, when a wild 
yell broke upon the stillness of the night. 

Indians 1 Indians I ” 

The horses were seized, suddenly throwing 
the driver from his seat, who fell to the ground 
in a helpless condition, while the passengers, 
struggling for life, escaped from the stage that 
had been capsized. 


IS MARKIAGE A LOTTERY? 


87 


Great heavens! the infernal Apaches!” 
cried, Richard as he and Sancho scrambled 
through the window. 

Drawing their weapons they, with their fel- 
low travelers, fought with marvelous courage, 
and after a fearful skirmish, that resulted in 
killing two of the Indians, they finally suc- 
ceeded in driving them off, but not without the 
loss of the mail and the horses. 

Fortunately Richard and Sancho escaped 
without serious injury, save a few bruises. 

“Dar, Massa Richard; de good Lord pro- 
tected you dat time ! Don’ I tole you.” 

Old Sancho’s eyes fairly glared from their 
sockets — he was shaking with cold and fright. 

^^Yes, Sancho, a narrow escape. The Lord 
saves our lives, I admit, although in other ways 
he works evil against us like magic. I fear 
that he intends to freeze us out yet. Come, 
old boy, we must not stand here in this storm. 
Miserable dollar, that. Tails won after all — 
for we have to foot it ; so brace up, and come 
along.” 

Leaving the scene of the Indian fight, they 
started forth. The chilly air causing them to 
pull their great coats more closely about them, 
and they stumbled over the rough road along 
the edge of the range. 


88 


IS MARRIAGE A LOTTERY? 


Sancho peered nervously among the trees and 
thickets that cast their deep shadows in the 
gray dawn that was chasing the darkness away. 

What's the matter? You are not afraid ? ” 
said Eichard, you, such a Mexican fighter ! 
.The treacherous Apaches are miles away by this 
time.’’ 

‘^Shu ! massa, I ain’t afraid of no Indians, 
don’t you hear that? — haunts — dat’s it.” 

Sancho did not lack physical courage, hut he 
had not escaped the superstition of his race. 
He stood almost speechless. 

“ Hear dat ? — haunts — don’ ye hear ? ” 

Kichard listened. 

A sound was heard, like a groan. It was 
evidently the low moans of a human voice ; 
some one in pain. 

‘^Follow me ! ” said Ei chard. There, careful 
there ! Don’t shake so, Sancho; it’s no ghost, 
it’s a human voice. Here, come along.” 

Guided by the sound, they moved cautiously 
on. Presently something appeared among the 
rocks and snow ; going nearer they discovered 
a man stretched full length on the ground, his 
head bleeding, and his soldier’s clothes splashed 
with blood. His gun was gone. Eichard bent 
low and looked at the ghastly face ; with a start 
he exclaimed : 







mm 






“ Unlucky Jack ! Great Heavens, Sancho / ” 



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IS MAREIAGE A LOTTERY? 


91 


Unlucky Jack ! Great Heavens, Sancho ! 

At the sound of his name the man opened his 
eyes and recognized Eichard. He said : 

" You know me again? 

Yes. What^s the matter now? ” 

Scalped ! ” 

« Dying?’’ 

‘^Yes.” 

^‘Here, Unlucky Jack, take this, my poor 
fellow,” and Eichard, raising the dying man’s 
head, contrived to force some brandy from his 
flask through his parched lips. 

Sancho stared with bewilderment and alarm, 
scarcely realizing that the miserable object was 
flesh and blood. 

Bress de Lord, he’s gwine whar de wicked 
cease from troublin’ an’ the weary am at rest. ” 

Unlucky Jack’s dizzy spell did not last long. 
Eaising himself, he made a faint motion for 
Eichard to draw near and listen. With a great 
effort he took his hand, and in a husky tone, 
filled with emotion, said : 

‘‘I told you that something would wipe me 
out — it’s just my luck.” 

Scalped at last ! ” 

I’ve fought the Indians all my life, and 
when I left the ranch, I made tracks to Fort 
Davis ; enlisted in the regulars ; have been 


92 IS MAKRIAGE A LOTTERY? 

chasing the red skins ; had more than a dozen 
skirmishes ; an' last month we hunted down 
three bands of Apaches and Lipans that had 
been on the war-path. The cussed devils gave 
me two cuts and a bullet scar, an' I'll be hanged 
if I knew I was touched until quartered in gar- 
rison.” With a groan, he added : ‘^But I'm 
cussed if they haven't clinched the grip onto 
me now — shot and scalped me.” 

For a moment he lost consciousness, and when 
he had sufficiently recovered he went on, saying 
in a dying tone, filled with regret : 

Look here, Gilbert, I know you think 
strange of me ; I’m a queer cuss — but I haven’t 
forgot the good turn you did me down at the 
ranch. You are a good feller, an’ when I left I 
calculated that some day I would be able to 
square up for all trouble in hard cash ; but when 
I got my pay I’ll be hanged if some thief didn’t 
go and steal it from me, all but four dollars ; 
and, cuss my luck, if I didn’t go and put every 
cent into a lottery ticket, and here's the cussed 
ticket ; there is no luck in it, but take it, I 
want to give you something to remember me by, 
nothing I ever touch has any luck, but it’s all 
I’ve got. Take it.” 

Richard thrust the soiled scrap of paper into 
his pocket, repectfully and kindly, and with pity 


IS MARRIAGE A LOTTERY ? 


93 


beaming from his sympathetic eyes, gazed at the 
dying man. 

There was no doubt of his earnestness, for 
Kichard could detect evidences of gratitude in 
every line of Unlucky Jack’s face and tone of 
his voice. Presently, exhausted by the long 
talk, and growing weaker from the loss of blood, 
the wounded man sank back and gasped : 

Good-bye ! boys, I am scalped at last! Glad 
to leave this cussed ” 

‘ ^ Dead ! Poor fellow; his unfortunate career 
is ended. Come, Sancho, let us dig his grave; 
it is the last that we can do for him.” 

‘'‘ Yes, Massa Eichard, I’ll dig degrabe ; dats 
what de bressed Lord intended us to do or he’d 
neber would hab directed us heah. ” 

Preparing the body for the last resting place, 
they discovered something carefully wrapped in 
oil-skin lying on his breast. 

What’s this ? Aha — poor unlucky fellow — a 
picture ! — the face of a fair girl, and the case 
scarred with many bullets.” 

Who do you spect she am ? ” asked Sancho. 

His own darling, perhaps. He would not 
have treasured this so carefully unless there was 
love in his heart.” 

They placed it back on the breast that had 
preserved it so long. Few would believe, strange 


94 


IS MARRIAGE A LOTTERY ? 


as it may seem, that beneath the coarse shirt 
there was a heart which had felt love and grati- 
tude, but it was even so. 

With tender care they marked the rude grave 
with the simple inscription : 

HERE LIES UNLUCKY JACK, SCALPED 
BY THE APACHES. 

Ashes to ashes, dust to dust ; mortal man 
born ob woman, spring up like de hoppergrass, 
an’ cut down like de sparrowgrass,” muttered 
Sancho. 

Yes, Sancho, that’s true; a very good fun- 
eral sermon. Come on, we have a long march 
before us yet.” 


IX. 


Almost two years had passed since Richard 
Gilbert had departed from the city of Chi- 
huahua, leaving a feeling akin to reverence in 
the memory of the people, who, as usual, cele- 
brated the Mexican holidays with the grand 
bull fight; and Carmelita, still loyal to the cus- 
tom of her ancestors was seen among the spec- 
tators, who recognized her as La Hermosa, 
meaning the beautiful. 

Time had wrought but a slight change ; her 
face had grown more expressive and thoughtful, 
but none the less lovely; and when, unconscious 
of observation, her mind was occupied with 
thoughts of her absent lover, it often made her 
appear grave and absent-minded. 

The gravel path leading to the vista had be- 
came her favorite walk and Juanita, her constant 
companion, encouraged her by hopeful, cheering 
remarks. 

Oh, Carmelita, he will surely come back ! 
Never fear, he must. I don’t see how he can 
help it. He loves you, and will certainly make 
a fortune soon. I wonder where he is now 

He is still on the prairies of Texas, I pre- 


96 IS MAKRIAGE A LOTTERY? 

sume/^ replied Carmelita, a faint color flushing 
her face. 

'' Yes, most likely, and getting rich fast ; but 
Carmelita, I think if ever a man was in love, 
that unfortunate man is Emilio Mureno. He 
seems to worship you, or else he is trying to 
make us think so. He is a nice young man, but 
no comparison to Ricardo. I just think he is 
the best man on the face of the earth. ’ ’ 

So do 1 ,” said Carmelita, simply ; and the 
handsome face of the man who had loved and 
left her rose before her in imagination. His 
voice rang in her ears, and with the very words 
that he had used “ Wait for me. darling ; I will 
come back ” — seemed to inspire hope and 
courage. 

For many weeks Don Fernando had appeared 
quite unlike himself ; a troubled expression 
was clearly deflned on his dark face, while his 
tall, upright form seemed bent with some heavy 
calamity that he did not make known. 

Although he passed many hours in the quiet 
library, yet he did not read, and seemed ner- 
vous and restless, and became irritable at the 
least sound. 

Carmelita had become anxious about her 
father, and was quite unhappy with fear of his 
failing health. He was rarely seen walking in 


IS MAKEIAGE A LOTTERY? 


97 


the court-yard among the plants and flowers 
as formerly, and he had even neglected his 
favorite cigars. 

That afternoon she had found him talking 
earnestly with Senor Don Emilio Mureno, a 
rich Spanish gentleman, and after his departure 
he appeared more cheerful. 

^^It is a peculiar case,’’ he said to himself, 
^^but they had known each other so short a 
time that it is more than probable that the 
love that blossomed so suddenly has faded out 
by this time ; she is older and more sensible, 
and surely does not care for him now,” and 
sending for his daughter, he assumed his for- 
mer air, and with a dignifled touch of tender- 
ness in his tone, said : 

Mia Carmelita, cara, I wish to speak of 
your future, which, as I grow old, Alls me with 
anxiety. Listen, cara ! Senor Mureno, who 
comes from a noble Spanish family, is a brave 
Caballero, and for a long time -has been paying 
his addresses to you. He loves you without a 
doubt, and I am quite certain that a marriage 
with so fine a young man would result in happi- 
ness to you both.” 

"" But, oh, father, dear ! You forget Eicardo ; 
I am promised to him — I must wait — He will 
soon have made his fortune ; let us wait.’' 


98 


IS MARRIAGE A LOTTERY? 


‘‘No, I have not forgotten. My child, be rea- 
sonable ; the two years are about to expire, and 
it will take him a lifetime to accumulate so 
vast a sum. He will be an old man more fit for 
the grave than a bride. No, that cannot be 
now. Mia cara, have you not already heard 
of his failures one after another, losing every- 
thing, until now he is almost penniless ? 

“ Penniless ! she gasped, Oh, father, do 
not tell me that. Ah, my poor Ricardo,’^ and 
a sob escaped her lips as she sank down, while 
Don Fernando, seemingly affected with the 
sight of his chil(Fs sorrow, consolingly said ; 

“Oh, do not grieve yourself, Carmelita. We 
cannot prevent failures. We are all liable to the 
same affliction. I fear that my own prosperity 
is threatened with a sudden reverse, and you, 
mia cara, Carmelita, may be the means of pre- 
venting such a calamity from coming upon your 
old father, and save for him the Cortina home 
that has sheltered him for so many years.’’ 

“Why, father, you are talking more serious 
than ever before ; as if you were to be turned 
out of your dear old home. Oh, no, it is dread- 
ful. You do not mean it. It is impossible ! ” 
“All things are possible in misfortune, Car- 
melita, and it all depends upon you, my child, 
to make the few remaining years of my life com- 


IS MAERIAGE A LOTTERY? 


99 


fortable, to save for me the roof that covers my 
gray head — think well ; you would not see your 
father die in misery and want.” 

•^Oh, no, father, no cried Carmelita excit- 
edly, her young heart filling with soriow at the 
very thought. did not know that things 
were so bad— but tell me, father dear, what can 
I do ? There’s my pictures, I can sell them, 
and I can take orders for portraits from the 
townsfolks. Oh, my father, anything to help 
you.” 

^^Hush, Carmelita, you must not talk so 
child ! It would never do for you to think of 
painting portraits for the townspeople for a liv- 
ing. Oh, no, the Cortinas were . never dishon- 
ored by labor. But hear what I propose. There 
is a better and a nobler way whereby you can 
help me, as you say you wish to do. For to day 
Don Emilio, the rich Spanish merchant, who has 
been in love with you, has asked my permission 
to make you his wife. A marriage with him 
would place me beyond all embarrassment and 
secure for us a life -lease of the dear old home. 
It remains for you to decide itiy fate, mia cara. 
Do not bring me to grief. Let me hear your 
favorable answer. I shall gladly receive Don 
Emilio as my future son-in-law; there is no fur- 
ther cause for delay. Come, cara Carmelita, 


100 


IS MARRIAGE A LOTTERY ? 


make your old father happy, and secure a bril- 
iant future for yourself.*’ 

But oh, father, ask anything but that ! I 
cannot marry Don Emilio. I do not love him. 
Ridardo will come back with a fortune very 
soon, and you promised him.” 

With a determined tone, the Don replied : 
These are only the vain fancies of a young 
mind. Have I not told you of the reported 
failures of Sehor Hilbert ? And his time is nearly 
up. Listen to your father, who has grown wise 
with years ; and let me hear you say that you will 
marry Senor Mureno, that all arrangements for 
the w^edding may be commenced at once.” 

“A heart-rending sob came from the poor 
girl’s lips, as she replied : 

Oh, yes, father ; to save your home for you, 
I shall marry Don Emilio, but my heart is 
Ricardo’s forever. Wait, do not ask me to 
marry so soon, the time is not up yet, and not 
until the day and the hour that the two years 
have expired shall I consent to wed another, 
even though I stand at the very altar ; but only 
for your sake, if Ricardo does not return, I will 
give myself to Emilio Mureno. I can say no 
more— Hove Ricardo.” 

At these loving words from his self-sacrific- 
ing daughter the old Don, apparently regardless 










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IS MAEEIAGE A LOTTEEY ? 


103 


of her sufferings, put his arms around her and 
kissed her tenderly saying : 

‘‘Heaven bless you, Carmelita, you have 
saved me. You are indeed a dutiful daughter, 
and now my child, you will soon forget the past, 
and live in the happiness of the future. Your 
wedding shall be celebrated with due festivities. 
It shall be an affair worthy of the Oortina^s. 

Carmelita had scarcely reached her room 
when Juanita, who had just heard the old 
Don and his steward talking of a wedding, put 
but one interpretation on it, and in her haste 
to congratulate her cousin, rushed in, and 
throwing her arm» around her neck, and sink- 
ing down by her side, exclaimed : 

“ Oh, Carmelita, mia carissima ! Is it really 
true? Tell me. What, crying! Oh don’t, 
Carmelita, cara, how happy you will be when 
you are married.” 

“ You are glad then, Juanita ? ” whispered 
the poor girl. 

‘ ‘ Grlad ? I am frantic with delight. He is 
the best man in the world, as I said before, and 
too noble for anyone hut you. Why, didn’t he 
save you ? Oh, I shall cry with you for joy ; oh, 
Carmelita.” Then as she noticed a distressed 
look on her cousin’s face and tears filling her 
eyes, she murmured : 


104 IS MARRIAGE A LOTTERY ? 

But when is he coming? Yon have not 
heard from him — the last message was from 
Painted Cave — that was ever so long ago ; he 
may he dead. Why don’t you tell me, darling ?” 

Dead ! Nonsense ! ” she replied, the hectic 
flush rising to cheeks, and her black eyes 
flashing defiantly, Why should he be dead ! 
No man is more capable of caring for himself 
than Eicardo el Bravo ; besides, there has been 
no war. No, he lives ; and shall dwell in my 
heart forever.” 

But,” cried Juanita, very much perplexed, 
the two 3^ears will end on the 8th of December, 
one short month, and if he doesn’t come, how 
can you marry him ? ” 

Nevertheless, if he does not, I shall be a 
bride on that day, mia cara cousin.” 

‘^^Why, what do you mean?” interrogated 
Juanita, springing to her feet. Don’t keep me 
in suspense. I do not understand you.” 

“ I mean that I am to marry Eniilio Mureno 
to save my father from ruin,” and her dark 
skin blanched to the lips, while Juanita, with 
astonishment, cried out : 

“ Marry Emilio ? To save your father ? I 
didn’t know he was in trouble. Oh, Carmelita, 
what a shame — what a pity! Oh, my heart aches 
for you. You are such a true, noble girl to 


TS MAKRIAGE A LOTTERY? 


105 


sacrifice your life so — I couldn’t do it,” and the 
sympathetic girl broke down with a burst of 
tears, and for a moment they wept together. 
Carmelita was the first to speak, and in a sobbing 
tone she said : 

Oh. Juanita; I know the price that I am to 
pay to save him : My heart, my life, my soul ! 
But fate is against me ; it is useless to strive 
against fate ; I can do no more. I must take 
care that the world has no cause to reproach. 
Should I desert my father I might be afflicted 
with greater sorrow all my days. ” Drawing her 
lace scarf, that had fallen, more closely about 
her shoulders, she rose, and when Juanita had 
kissed her an affectionate good-night, saying : 

I am so sorry, Carmelita, cara,” she closed the 
door. 

As the dreary hours of the night passed by 
she in bitter grief, struggled with the love in 
her heart for her absent hero — with a feeling 
of pity and regret towards her newly betrothed, 
whom she knew for a certainty did not hold her 
heart, and of painful certainty that she still 
loved the brave Ricardo, who had saved her life, 
and a faint hope that he might still return. 

Oh, cruel fate ; that to save my father from 
ruin, I must wed the man I do not love.” 

In bitter agony she wept convulsively, and as 


106 IS MAKRIAGE A LOTTERY ? 

the gloomy abstraction grew upon her she almost 
felt the touch of Eichard^s lips upom hers, as 
they had clung in that first passionate kiss ; 
and it needed all her strength to keep from 
crying out in hysterical despair. 

It was long after the midnight hour when 
the poor heart-hrok'en girl sought her bed, to 
toss to and fro through the long, wakeful 
night. 

In the morning a realizing sense of what was 
expected, seemed to have taken possession of 
her, and she resolved to take a foremost part in 
the arrangements for the all important day. 

Don Emilio had called early, and taking her 
soft hands in his, he said : 

Ah, my darling, you are to be mine ; I 
thank you, and am so happy ; but I shall not 
begin to make you love me until you are my 
wife.” 

Oarmelita yielded to his embrace, because she 
thought it would make no difference to her 
now, and in her humility and fear of doing her 
father a wrong, she made up her mind to ac- 
cept the situation with as much cheerfulness 
as she could command. 

Emilio was filled with joy at the prospects 
of gaining the beautiful Oarmelita for his wife. 
Sometimes he had a dull apprehension that she 


IS MARRIAGE A LOTTERY ? 107 

did not love him, that he was not winning her 
heart, but he dispelled all fear by saying : 

^^Once she is mine, my very own, I shall 
teach her to forget Kicardo Gilbert, or any 
other,” and with the parental influence of Senor 
Cortina, he had in spite of her remonstrance, 
succeeded in persuading her to have the wed- 
ding take place as soon as possible. 

“The wedding must be announced,” he said. 
“ Let the day be set for the 8th of December.” 

It was the last day of the two long years. 
It would be useless to wait, and, submissively 
granting his wish, and hiding her love and 
hopes for her absent one, she appeared before 
tlie world smiling and happy. 

Nor was she to be a dismal bride, for with 
what courage she possessed, she entered into 
the spirit of the event. But there were times 
when Maraquita, who, with a gentleness that 
had pity in every touch, wliile brushing out her 
long tresses of black, could read from the sweet, 
sad face the inward sorrow that the impassive 
look failed to conceal, and her heart went out 
in sympathy to her foster 6hild, saying : 

“Take courage, mia cara, you must not let a 
memory of the past overshadow your young life. 
There is much happiness before you, Carmelita ; 
be of good cheer.” 


108 


IS MARKIAGE A LOTTERY ? 


And after all she did hope, and firmly refused 
to believe that anything ill had happened to 
Eichard. 

Don Fernando had taken care to have the 
contract with Senor iVIureno favorably drawn, 
and so the preparations went on. The house- 
hold took on a new air, and the stern old don 
seemed to visibly expand as his hospitable in- 
stincts revived. 

Not' for many years had a wedding caused 
so much talk in Chihuahua. Many and various 
had been the designs of mothers to trap the rich 
Don Emilio and it was well known that la her- 
niosa Carmelita, had given up the previous and 
romantic attachment for the sake of her aged 
father. 

So desirous was he to have the nuptials con- 
summated that never for a moment did he 
delay. Every resource from the Sierra Madre 
to the plains of the Eio Grande was drawn on 
for supplies for the occasion. 

Hunters, who had been out for weeks before 
to secure game, were returning from the moun- 
tains, leading into the plaza carts loaded down 
with buffalo and antelope meat, and pack mules 
laden with venison and wild turkey. Even the 
wedding cake had been ordered, and the kins- 
people and other friends both far and near were 


IS MAKRIAGE A LOTTERY ? 109 

invited to the marriage feast and ball. The 
servants were to have their fandango, and the 
master had taken care that nothing was lacking 
for their enjoyment, or to render the occasion 
worthy of the Cortinas. 

As the time drew near old Maraquita was 
sometimes heard to sigh, although she per- 
formed her duties faithfully ; while Juanita, 
who appeared to be delighted beyond measure, 
showed her pleasure in an unusually grave, quiet 
way. 

The wedding dress had come from the city 
of Mexico. 

“ Oh, it is the most beautiful I have ever 
seen,” cried Juanita. When I am married, 
Carmelita, cara, I shall have one just like it ! 
How rd like to try it on, but that is un- 
lucky, they say ; but, oh, Carmelita, how lovely 
you will look. All the other Caballeros will be 
so jealous because Don Emilio is going to have 
you, that they will raise an objection in the 
church to-morrow.” 

Carmelita laughed lightly at the young girks 
sayings. 

There was a prolonged silence. 

‘^You seem to be busy with your -own 
thoughts,” said Juanita, suddenly. 

Yes, I was thinking — to-morrow I shall be 


110 


IS MAREIAGE A LOTTERY? 


a bride, and an unworthy, because a loveless 
one.’^ 

Her eyes were fixed on the bridal dress and 
veil that lay before her, and in har thoughtful 
mood she looked all the more lovely, perhaps, 
for the soft, dreamy light that gleamed in her 
dark eyes and the little touch of sadness that 
curved her red lips, as she murmured : 

^^If Ricardo was only here; if he was the 
one how different, and a sense of the reality 
took possession of her, that even the mass of 
white satin beside her could not dispel. But, 
the time is short, and I must drive all haunting 
memories of the past from my mind to save 
my poor father, and in the love of Emilio 
Mureno, I may be happy ! Happy ? Alas ! 
Juanita.’’ 

With an effort she rose and folded the wed- 
ding dress with nervous hands. 


X. 


All, if she but knew how Richard had striven 
with all his soul to keep his promise. Handsome, 
eager and devoted — what a fate was theirs ! 

Hard, very hard, had the times gone with this 
noble young man, and his proud spirit was 
beginning to show signs of breaking under the 
strain; and even whiles he was folding her wed- 
ding dress he, all unconcious of the coming 
event, longed to clasp her in his arms again. 

On that very morning, from the desolation of 
Unlucky Jack’s grave, weary and footsore and 
hungry, he and Sancho had at last reached the 
city. 

The morning was clear with sunshine and the 
main plaza was gay with bright hues of holiday 
dress. Caballeros in the glory of their silver- 
trimmed jackets, Mexicans in wide-brimmed 
hats basking in the sun; while negroes and half- 
breeds with a few Indians in gay blankets were 
hanging about. 

‘ ^ Ize mighty glad to get back to cibilization,” 
said old Sancho, as they walked across the plaza, 
where the native musicians in red uniforms were 
playing lively Spanish tunes in front of a large 


112 IS MARRIAGE A LOTTERY? 

building, and a number of swarthy youths were 
having an extemporized dance on the sand. 

A moment later, drawn by the people that 
came from all directions, and curious to see 
what attracted them, Richard and the old dar- 
key had sauntered through the wide-open doors, 
and mingled with the motley crowd, conspicuous 
with well-dressed Americans and tourists, who 
earnestly watched every movement of some men 
on a platform. One was turning the crank of 
an immense wheel. 

‘‘1 ’dare to de Lord! Massa Richard!” 
exclamed Sancho, I dun seen all sorts of 
machines, but I neber see’d one like dat afore; 
wid all dem papers a popping about like jump- 
ing jacks in a glass hand-organ.” 

Why, Sancho, that’s a lottery wheel. They 
are going to draw,” said Richard, who, greatly 
to his surprise, for the first time in his life 
realized that he was at a lottery drawing. 

‘^Bressde Lord, massa ! Drawing? What’s 
dat? You don’ mean a drawing school, whar 
dey teach folks to draw? ” 

Oh, no ; keep still, Sancho ; you will see how 
it turns out directly, and then you will know 
more about it. ” 

At every turn the interest of the people in- 
creased, as the great wheel went round and 


IS MAKRTAGE A LOTTERY? 


113 


round again and again, until at last the tickets 
were thoroughly mixed. 

Chiquita !” called the manager, and a little, 
blind girl, who everybody in the town knew, 
was led gently forward to the large wheel, and 
slowly passing* her hand along the edge until 
the little door was reached, when, with every 
eye of that great throng resting upon her, she 
dives her little hand among the tickets and 
draws one forth. The manager takes it from 
her and displays the large numbers before the 
anxious people, and turning to a lad at a smaller 
wheel on the opposite side of the stage, he said : 

Now, Chiquito ! it is your turn,” and the 
boy drew forth a ticket which the manager 
likewise displayed showing another number, 
which Richard explained to Sancho, saying ; 

You see, that is the prize won by that 
number.” 

Bress de Lord ! ” exclaimed the perplexed 
Sancho, ^‘dat’s a lottery? I’ze Ylare to de 
Lord, massa, dar’s nothin new under de sun, 
fo' dis is what I’ze heard ole dad tell bout de 
great George Washington, who drew forty acres 
an’ a mule an’ three niggahs out ob de Moun- 
tain Road Lottery, way back in ole Virginia.” 

Never mind about George Washington 
now,” returned Richard. 


114 


IS MAKRIAGE A LOTTERY ? 


One ticket after another was drawn in rapid 
succession, when at last a 120,000 prize was 
drawn, and while the manager held before his 
face the large numbers indicating the sum 
the people cried out with enthusiasm, and the 
excitement increased as the work went on. 

Our hero watched the proceedings with great 
interest, and old Sancho, who was beginning to 
get it through his head exclaimed : 

Laws, Massa Eichard, dat big machine is a 
new kind ob oi’gan for grinding out de money by 
de thousands. 

Much to the gratification of the people, the 
drawing continued, and the breathless expecta- 
tion of the mass was at its height, wdien Chiquita 
again put her hand into the ticket wheel and 
brought forth 16547; and when Chiquito took 
from the prize wheel, $60,000 — the capital 
prize — the crowd fairly shouted with delight, 
and cheers of satisfaction filled the air, and they 
gazed anxiously about with eyes eager to see who 
the lucky winner was. 

No one answered. 

" Bress de Lord ! Massa Riehard, why didn’t 
we hole dat ticket ? ” 

Then it was that Richard Gilbert suddenly 
remembered that Unlucky Jack had given him 
a lottery ticket, and as if moved by the spirit of 


I hold the number 16547 . 



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IS MAREIAGE A LOTTERY ? 117 

the unfortunate departed, he thrust his hand 
into his pocket and drew out the little worn 
slip of paper — and his eyes fairly burst from 
his head as he cried out : 

Great heavens ! Sancho, look at this ! 

“ Capital prize, $60,000. One full ticket, $4. 
Will draw on Wednesday, December 7th. This 
ticket entitles the holder thereof to the full prize 
in money, as maybe drawn by its number, 16547. 

Oh, bress de Lord, massa, you don’ toll me 
you gwine to git all dat money out ob de big 
lottery wheel 

For a moment Eichard almost fell as he 
attempted to move forward, and standing before 
the manager he presented the ticket, his voice 
trembling perceptibly as he, said : 

I hold the number 16547 ! 

It was a breathless and intense moment as 
Richard Gilbert, with uplifted face, stood there 
awaiting the result. 

Would he secure that vast sum? 

Sancho followed, and in a state of bewilder- 
ment, stood watching his young master with an 
earnest expression on his dark face. 

For a moment a deep silence prevailed, as the 
manager examined the fine features of the young 
man before him, and then looking cautiously at 
the large, black figures on the little soiled scrap 


118 


IS MARKIAGE A LOTTEEY ? 


of paper, he stepped forward, and speaking to 
Richard, said : 

There is no mistake, young man ; this is 
number 16547. It entitles you to 160,000, the 
capital prize, that Ohiquito has just drawn from 
the prize wheel. It is yours on demand, in 
money or check. Which shall it be ? ” 

Money,” gasped Richard, almost dazed 
with astonishment and delight, and with inward 
thoughts of Carmelita. The intense pleasure 
deepened on his noble countenance as the 
manager requested him to step into the treas- 
urer’s office, and not until that official had 
counted out and handed to him sixty $1,000 bills 
did he realize his wonderful good fortune. 

Here, young man : you are lucky ; take 
them and may they bring you much happi- 
ness.” 

Thank you,” uttered Richard, who was so 
enraptured and overjoyed at this unexpected 
turn of fortune that he could not find words to 
express himself, but filled with emotion, he 
grasped the money tightly and waived it above 
his head in response to the shouts : 

Huzza ! Huzza for the winner of the 
capital prize ! Huzza ! ” 

While old Sancho, who had fairly gone frantic 
with excessive joy, wildly exclaimed : 


IS MARKIAGE A LOTTERY ? 


119 


Lord-ol-mighty, massa, yus got de 
money now. Oh, de bressed Lord be praised ! 
Oh, de bressed Lord — don’ I tole you so? 
Don’ I tole you so ? ” 

While Richard, in a state of bewilderment, 
gazed in abstract confusion at the money, try- 
ing to convince himself that it was true ; that 
after everything else had failed, he had actually 
won a fortune without an effort, at last. His 
ecstacy knew no bounds. He was happy. 

‘^Poor Unlucky Jack,” he murmured. 

Carmelita mine, at last. Thank Heavens ! ” 

A moment later, followed by Sancho, he was 
crossing the plaza with bright hopes of a happy 
future before him. He hastened to the railway 
station to catch the first train for the City of 
Chihuahua. 

Sancho, old boy, your prediction that the 
Lord would provide a way came true at last. 
You are a born prophet, and this lottery is the 
grandest success of the season. It’s worth a 
dozen cattle ranches and gold mines put 
together. Why didn’t we think of it before — 
might have been rich and married long ago ? ” 
Well, Massa Richard, de bressed Lord knows 
best, an’ it ain’t too late to git married yet. I 
1 dun tole you de Lord would provide a way, 
an’ T spect dat Spanish gal ’ill be my missus 


120 


IS MARKIAGE A LOTTERY? 


afor’ another day ; but laws, massa, I ’dare to 
Lord-ol-mighty, I never see anythin’ like dat 
great big lottery machine, dat turns out de 
money like it war a bank.” 

Ah, Sancho, it is a glorious concern, and 
now I shall soon be the happiest man on the face 
of the earth, with Carmelita as my wife — 
Creation ! but how confounded slow this train 
goes. I only wish I had wings, that I might 
fly over the Sierra Madre to her.” 

Alas ! little did he dream that the girl whose 
life he had saved, whom he loved and had 
struggled for, was so soon to be the wife of 
another ; that his chances of ever wedding 
Senorita Cortina were far more uncertain than 
a chance in the lottery. 

Doubtless he would have banished all hopes 
of ever winning her, even though he could have 
flown to her on wings. 

A whole hour late,” he said, as the train, 
that had traveled none too rapidly, drew up at 
the little town of Terrazes, and greatly distressed 
at the loss of time, he asked : 

^AYhat is it? ” 

Stopped ! ” answered the brakeman. 

^^For how long?” he inquired, impatiently. 

Lord only knows when we will start again. ” 

Why, what’s the matter ? ” 


IS MARRIAGE A LOTTERY? 121 

Oh, nothing ! Only we run over and killed 
a Mexican on the up-trip. They have just 
arrested the engineer and conductor, and, of 
course, the train is held until a messenger can 
go back and get a permit to let us go on.” 

To Eichard this was appalling news. There 
were many long, dreary miles to travel, there 
was no time for delay. The two years would be 
up at noon next day, and although his faith in 
Carmelita was undiminished, he doubted Don 
Fernando. 

Great Heavens ! ” he cried, and in his de- 
spair he thought of Senor Terrazes, of the state 
of Chihuahua, who had been master of cere- 
monies at the bull fight, and as early as it was 
he appeared at once before that gentleman, who 
listened to his story, and in turn informed him 
that Senorita Carmelita was to be married at 
ten o’clock at her father’s will. 

But you may be in time. Take La Reina, 
the mare ; she will carry you there sooner than 
any train. I can furnish a good mount for your 
man. La Reina is the fleetest traveler in all 
Mexico. Your man can ride a wild broncho ? ” 

Oh, yes ! ” exclaimed Sancho, a niggah 
kin ride a whirlwind.” 

The favorite black mare was quickly brought 
to Richard, the broncho to Sancho, and leaping 


122 IS MAKRIAGE A J.OTTERY ? 

into the saddles they rode with all haste out of 
the court yard. 

God speed you ! ’’ cried Senor Terrazes, who 
had not forgotten the slayer of the hull and the 
savior of Carmelita. 

With Sancho closely following they sped along 
the road towards the ancient city. The first 
rays of ihe rising sun lighted up the desolate 
landscape in which the distant Chihuahua show'n 
as the one spot of light and color. 

The sound of the swdft hoofs rang out on the 
chill morning air as La Reina stretched away 
with utmost speed, with Sancho’s little thunder- 
bolt clattering at her heels. 

So eager was Richard to clasp his dark-eyed, 
lovely Carmelita in his arms, he rode with the 
speed of a cyclone. The report of the wedding 
hastened his speed, and his sombrero wafted 
back into the mild breeze, showing his anxious 
face. 

Is there no hope ? ” he groaned — while La 
Reina, dust-covered and foaming, never made 
such a record. 

The ground fairly whirled beneath her feet 
as she flew over the foot-hills and through the 
canons of the Sierra Madre, for five miles 
scarcely drawing breath, until admonished by. 
Sancho. 


IS MARRIAGE A LOTTERY? 123 

I say, Massa Richard, more haste less speed. 
We are gwine to break down at dis rate ; we hah 
got two hours mo' to make ten miles, dar’s no 
hurry ; we’ll git dar all right for ten o’clock.” 

‘^You are right, Sancho, as you always are- 
You are the only true seer I ever knew.” 

They slackened their pace, but still dashed 
on. A trio of greasers whose evil looks boded 
no good, once blocked the way ; but the wild 
riders dashed by like a whirlwind before they 
realized the situation, and they gazed after them 
in wonder. 

Bress de Lord, Massa Richard, de race is 
gwine to be wid de swift and de battle to de 
strong dis time sure.” 

The cross of the cathedral gleamed in the 
distance, the early morning, sharp and bracing, 
had cleared into the sunshine of a cloudless day. 

The people were gathering about the court- 
yard of Cortina’s house, and Carmelita, arrayed 
in her wedding dress, received the ardent ad- 
miration of Maraquita; while Juanita, in soft 
white dress and shining ornaments, joyfully 
ejaculated : 

Oh, Carmelita, cara, 3^011 are the loveliest 
bride I have ever seen ; not that I have seen 
very many, but I am certain tliat there was 
never one more beautiful.” 


124 


IS MAKRIAGE A LOTTERY ? 


And kissing her for the fifteenth time. Jua- 
nita ran away, leaving her cousin deep in medi- 
tation, looking from the window at the grand 
old cathedral standing opposite, at whose altar 
she would soon he the bride of Emilio Mureno. 

It was a little before ten, groups of dark 
figures in wraps and rehozos, were anxiously 
waiting. Presently the hells rang out from the 
belfry, and soon a bright light streamed through 
the open church door, and from every side of 
the plaza the people took their way to witness 
the marriage ceremony. 

The senoras and senoritas, in mantillas and 
gaily- figured silks, languidly waved their fans 
and to all appearances were in joyful harmony 
with the occasion. Nevertheless there was a 
heartfelt sympathy for the lovely bride who was 
so nobly sacrificing her happiness for the sake 
of her aged fatlier. 

The melodious voices of the unseen singers 
in the choir rang joyously as the bride appeared, 
and all thoughts of the handsome Eicardo, who 
had saved her life, were driven aAvay as the 
Avhite robed priest, standing before the bril- 
liantly lighted altar, received the bride who, 
although all others had forgotten, still thought 
of him. 

Don Emilio had given his ready response, and 


Senor, you have kept your promise, take her, 1 cannot break my word. 




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IS MARRIAGE A LOTTERY ? 


127 


now the priestly official was awaiting Oarmelita’s 
reply, the one word that would make her the 
wife of Emilio Mureiio — when at that in- 
stant — 

‘^Oarmelita ! Carmelita ! 

“ Ricardo ! Ricardo ! ’’ 

And Richard Gilbert rushed down the isle, 
tlu’usting the |560,000 into the old don’s hands. 

‘^Oh, Ricardo ! I love you ; yon have saved 
me, at last,” cried Carmelita, throwing her 
arms about his neck, while the people, wild with 
commotion and thrilled with joy, exultantly 
cried : • 

Madre de Dios ! Ricardo el bravo, savior of 
Carmelita ! ” 

Clas})ing her in his arms he passionately ex- 
claimed : 

Oh, my love, my Carmelita, my wife ! You 
are mine and no other’s. I have won my 
prize.” 

The old don staggered back as he gazed at 
the money scattered before him, as it had fallen, 
and said in a voice trembling Avith emotion : 

‘^Sehor, you have kept your promise, I must 
keep mine. She is yours, take her ; I cannot 
break my Avord.” 

Bress do Lord ! I’ze dun tole you you'd 
git de Spanish gal,” cried old Sancho, avIio had 


128 


IS MARRIAGE A. LOTTERY ? 


'followed his master clear to the altar, and stood 
smiling with joy, while Juanita and Maraquita 
were so overjoyed they shed tears ; and the en- 
thusiasm of the multitude knew no bounds 
when the padre pronounced them man and 
wife ; and Avith his blessing he heartily congrat- 
ulated the happy couple. 

^‘^Carmelita and Ricardo el bravo 

The sadness of her beautiful face had A'anished, 
and radiant with happiness her dark eyes looked 
up to his, so true and noble, and he kissed her 
amid the songs of rejoicing that filled the old 
cathedral, such as had never been heard before, 
and the people, learning by what means he had 
Avon his fortune, poured forth, sounding the 
praise of the lottery. 


XL 


Practically onr true story of the romance of 
16547 is ended. We have not used the real 
names of the distinguished parties interested for 
obvious reasons, hut the famous hull fight, the 
rescue, and happy denouement are matters of 
local history. 

He have for the first time made public the 
details of the two year's probation of hope^ 
struggle, and despair so happily teianinated by 
kind Providence, which directs what we call 
chance into chosen channels. 

In the light of such revelations, a lottery is 
merely a method whereby one seeks to learn the 
will of Providence in individual cases. At all 
events, Richard and his happy wife so regarded 
tlie origin of their good fortune, and never failed 
to bless the chance that assured their happiness. 

Richard offered old Sancho 1^10,000 which that 
faithful servitor peremptorily refused. 

Bress de Lord, Massa Richard ; what de ole 
niggah want ob money ? Ain’t gvvine to leabe 
vou an’ de Spanish gal. De Lord dun took care 
ob you all tro' de trubles; ’spose I’m gwine to 


130 


IS MAHRIACtE a i.ottery ? 

leabe do Lord's chile ? Don’t want no money! 
No, sah.” 

Ah, Sancho, my faithful old boy, don’t bo 
foolish; yon bore all of the troubles as much as 
I, and but foi* your encouraging old proverbs I 
should have faltered and fainted by the wayside. 
Only your faith in the Lord and my love sus- 
tained me.” 

‘ ^ Dat’s it Massa Richard ; wa’n’t no proverbs 
at all ; you war in lub for sure, an’ dat only gits 
hotter by absence, dun ye see ? De wind dat 
blows out a candle, kindles a fire. No proverbs 
about dat. De Lord’s pra3^er says lead us not 
into temptation, an’ I ain’t gwine to jump into 
it for sure. No, no, massa, don’ ketch old 
Sancho dat way — plenty little picaninnies come 
by-an’-by for old Sancho to take care ob.” 

All argument failed with Sancho and Richard 
gave it up. 

The old don lived to see his darling daughter 
happy and the splendor of his ancestral halls 
restored, and died proud of both, and still more 
of his sturdy little grandson. Juanita, who had 
stood by her lovely cousin so bravely, sympa- 
thized most feelingly Avith the sorely disap- 
pointed Emilio, and that grieved nobleman 
was touched to such an extent with the kind- 
ness of so lovely a young girl, that in order to 


IS MAKRIAftE A LOTTERY? 


13i 


perpetuate more effectually such mutually satis- 
factory emotions they were married within the 
year. 

It, is not uninteresting in this nari-ative of 
Providential opportunities to state that Juanita, 
inspired by KichaiaPs succjess, had invested in a 
ticket in the same ‘‘ Tem^jle of Fortune,’^ as 
she called it, and had drawn ^5,000, which came 
quite opportunely to furnish her trousseau. 

But of all the beneficiaries of Richard’s good 
fortune, not one more happy and appreciative 
than old Sancho, whose kindly face wears a 
chronic smile of supernal delight, as he trundles 
the young Ricardo daily through garden and 
plaza with untiring devotion. 


THE END. 


HO'TlCm ■ 

The author takes this opportunity of announc- 
ing to her friends and the public tliat she has in 
preparation for the press the eminently interesting 
and sensational story of “ Fly and Lightning,’^ 
known on the Pacific coast as the thrilling adven- 
tures of two American girls on a lone trip across 
the continent. This charming narrative not only 
exhibits in a strong light the courage and pluck 
of the heroines, but also how “ stranger is fact 
than fiction.” . 

While collecting and arranging the notes from 
their journal the author has preserved the singular 
naivete and simplicity of detail of the young 
adventurers, and especially the enthusiasm of 
first impressions which the little travelers seemed 
to have transferred to their diary. All Americans 
will read this realistic work with surprise and 
delight. 


MME. A. RUPPERT’S HEW BOOK. 

She Publishes a Book Entitled “ HOW TO BE BEAUTI- 
FUL,” and, like the Philanthropist She is, Gives it 
FREE THIS WEEK. 



A t THE URGENT REQUEST of thousands of her Patrons, 
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<> Fast Fourteenth Street, NEW YOKE. 
BRANCH OFFICES IN ALL LARGE CITIES. 









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